Rare Kiwi Species Spotted After Decades of Believed Extinction

In a remarkable turn of events, an expert biodiversity ranger and his conservation dog have located the little spotted kiwi, a rare bird species that was previously believed to be extinct in New Zealand. According to the article, the last known sighting of this elusive bird was in 1978, leading many to assume it had disappeared from the region.

However, on May 2025, the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) received a tip from a hunter who had spotted the little spotted kiwi in the remote Adams Wilderness Area on the western coast of the country's mainland. Immediately, the DOC called in a more experienced kiwi bird conservationist, Iain Graham, and his kiwi-certified dog, Brew, to investigate the sighting.

After multiple days of searching, Graham and Brew were able to locate not just one, but a pair of the little spotted kiwi. The rediscovery of this presumed extinct species has sent waves of hope through the conservation community, as it signifies the potential revival of a healthy and diverse ecosystem in the region.

The return of the little spotted kiwi follows other recent conservation successes, such as the rediscovery of a rare red-cockaded woodpecker in South Carolina and the reappearance of Chinook salmon in California's North Yuba River. These victories demonstrate the resilience of nature and the importance of ongoing conservation efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats.