Flying young birds in the South Pacific
Air New Zealand has given a helping wing to six young tūturuatu (Shore plover), relocating them from Hawke's Bay to their new home on Motutapu Island. The species is endemic to New Zealand and one of the world's rarest shorebirds.
With a population of just 250, they are only found in the Chatham Islands and two predator-free islands off the coast of Aotearoa. The birds were transported in the aircraft cabin and securely fastened in seats.
Flight attendant Annalise Michie: "Every day in my job, I look forward to greeting our wonderful customers – but I got to greet some customers of a different, more feathery kind, and that's really special. It's not every day you get to say you played a small part in helping support the amazing work the department of conservation does to protect the country's unique wildlife." (ah)