Kia ora,

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Important Update, June 7th, 9:20AM  

The Department of Conservation has moved Charlie from her home of 24 years, a week earlier than planned, and ignoring or dismissing the concerns raised. On social media they stated they wanted to concentrate Kaka to one site, however, this is not a good enough reason to move Charlie Girl from her home AND it undermines her existing team. 

We are asking for Charlie Girl to be Returned to her home of 24 years with the community who loves her. 

We are asking for the Captive Breeding Program to acknowledge that Charlie Girl has been successful in raising chicks with her partner Bling, over several seasons, before the Program moved Bling to another aviary. 

We are asking for the Program to acknowledge that Charlie Girl has special needs, both physical and behavioral, and that her team of dedicated keepers have been successful in managing these issues. Charlie should be able to stay with the team that goes above and beyond for her. 

We are asking for the Program to acknowledge that we are stronger together. By allowing Charlie to return to Te Anau, and pairing her with a suitable male, the Program has a team of dedicated keepers, who bring their knowledge, experience, and skills to the Breeding Program.

Furthermore, by keeping Charlie Girl in Te Anau, they would be utilizing a skilled team at a remote location, thus providing better protection against disease outbreaks. 

We are asking the Captive Breeding Program to let Charlie Girl return and remain in her home of 24 years, with the community that loves her, and the dedicated keepers who have supported her so well.

⭐️ Please speak up and speak out for Charlie Girl. Tell the Department of Conservation to reconsider immediately and return Charlie Girl to her beloved home. There is no compelling reason for this move.

Please sign, share, and speak out. Over 90% of our signatures have come from social media! 

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Original Petition:

Unfortunately, I have information that the Captive Breeding Program has decided that Charlie Girl Kākā should be moved from her home of 24 years to go to another sanctuary. While the other facility is a quality aviary, this move is unnecessary and likely to be harmful to Charlie. 

I have volunteered with Punanga Manu o Te Anau for several years. As a volunteer, I am free to speak up and speak out against this proposed move. 

Charlie Girl is a special bird, with a history of behaviour concerns that her keepers have worked hard to reduce and minimize. Charlie is thriving now, but a move could bring back these behaviour issues. 

Charlie Girl has arthritis, and she is on medications that are greatly helping her. She is also receiving a special voluntary, cooperative care Physical Therapy program. Her keepers cue her with target training to fly from perch to perch. This program builds strength, reduces arthritis and associated pain, and builds confidence. Her keepers have worked hard to gain Charlie’s trust and have her fly on cue. Moving her would disrupt this program, and she is not likely to cooperate in her Physical Therapy program for new keepers. 

Moving her is unnecessary. Charlie Girl has successfully raised many chicks for release into the wild over several years. All these chicks have been born at Punanga Manu o Te Anau with the help of Charlie’s dedicated team. 

Charlie Girl can contribute to the captive breeding program, but to move her from her home, from her keepers who she trusts, and the community who loves her, is unnecessary and likely harmful. I have multiple concerns about this move. Unfortunately, these concerns have been dismissed by people outside of Te Anau. 

I am looking for support for Charlie Girl. She is supported and cared for here. She is at home in Te Anau, where she has spent the vast majority of her life. She does not need to be moved to another facility just because managers outside Te Anau wish for her to go to another aviary. 

Charlie Girl is a treasured manu, and a member of Te Anau’s community. She should be supported in her home, and allowed to continue her contributions to the Captive breeding program in Te Anau.