A remote island off of New Zealand offers South Island Robins protection from invasive predators. 

South Island Robins are an iconic and beloved native species of New Zealand. Unfortunately, the quaint songbird faces threats posed by invasive predators. In an effort to protect the native bird species, conservationists relocated South Island Robins to the remote Chalky Island. It has been six years since the relocation, and the robins are thriving.

Liz Collins, one of the relocation program sponsors, says:

The robins are so plentiful now, they’ll be used in establishing populations on other bird sanctuaries. It’s more than we could have hoped for.

Remote, predator-free islands provide important refuges for threatened species. Being isolated and safe from unnatural predators, island sanctuaries can offer rare opportunities for endangered species populations to recover. Keeping islands free of invasive species and removing species that invade island ecosystems are critical tactics for protecting species and biodiversity, and ensuring the availability of safe habitats for conservation.

Featured photo (adapted): South Island Robin by Thomas Sobek
Read the original article at Scoop Business NZ