Please help save one of the world's rarest birds from extinction - The New Zealand Fairy Tern (New Zealand's rarest bird)!

Please help save one of the world's rarest birds from extinction - The New Zealand Fairy Tern (New Zealand's rarest bird)!

The pristine Managawhai coastline in the North Island of New Zealand, one of only 3 critical breeding areas left for this bird, is under threat of development. A development of up to 2000 houses could be built near the area. This poses a serious threat to the Fairy Tern's survival, and the bird may well face extinction should this development be allowed to proceed.

Only 10 breeding pairs remain across all three breeding areas, and a single uncontained dog or cat would likely ensure the extinction of this species. According to one report, the developers are apparently 'promising' that cats would be banned and dogs restricted to leashes, but while well-intentioned, promises such as this should be viewed as difficult to police, bold, farcical and unrealistic to say the least.

Even if dogs and cats were no threat, the increase in human presence would threaten the well-being of the birds which are vulnerable to these types of invasions. These areas have something unique about them, which is why these birds have selected the areas as their home, habitat, breeding area, and feeding grounds. They will not hesitate to abandon their eggs and chicks for self preservation, but this also poses a risk to their survival and breeding.

New Zealand, is well known to millions world-wide, and is unarguably one of the most beautiful, unique and diverse places on earth. It also has many rare and unique species of life, and these birds undeniably fall into that category. Reason enough alone for the deserved protection of areas such as Mangawhai.

New Zealand is unique in that many birds have had millions of years to evolve without the threat of predators. Incidentally, humans have introduced most if not all of the predators which have caused much of the extinction (or threat of extinction) in wildlife in this country. Having no predators, they therefore had no need for fear, and many even gave up their need for flight - a unique situation probably due to the very isolated and island nature of this country. Despite the Fairy Tern having some fear of predators, and that it is vulnerable to small disturbances, this fact is also a likely contributor to the heightened risk of its extinction.

Interestingly, the endangered Kakapo (a flightless native parrot also unique to NZ), which holds legendary and iconic status is protected. The very thought of development in the special areas set aside for the Kakapo would never EVER be considered. In 2006 around only 86 Kakapo remain, just over twice the numbers of the 36 remaining NZ Fairy Tern. Another extremely unique and flightless bird, the Kiwi - New Zealand's national icon, and source for the nickname given to NZ Citizens, is also endangered and holds a similar status and protection to the Kakapo. This situation begs the question - "why is the Fairy Tern is not afforded similar or even greater protection"?

Please help support this cause whether or not you are a New Zealander, and show the New Zealand Government that they must protect this bird, with law if required. Show them that the International Community, not just New Zealanders care! Please show your support by signing this petition now. Tell everyone you know about it, as well as sending them the link above, this link > (http://www.petitiononline.com/nzbirds/petition.html), or simply copy all of this text to send them. Please also ask that they do the same, and pass it on to everyone they know.

Images of the Fairy Tern, additional information, and official news releases about this issue can be found at the following addresses and from various sources such as:

1. "New Zealand Department of Conservation"
http://www.doc.govt.nz/Conservation/001~Plants-and-Animals/001~Native-Animals/Fairy-Tern.asp

2. The New Zealand "Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society"
http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/mediarelease/2006/0428_coastaldevthreatensbirds.asp

3. "The New Zealand Herald"
http://subs.nzherald.co.nz/location/story.cfm?l_id=139&objectid=10379640

4. Or try a google search for information on the Fairy Terns e.g.
http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q=New+Zealand+Fairy+Tern&meta=

Thank you for taking the time to read this petition. Every signature counts!