Custom Search
The Japanese nuclear meltdown may have reduced New Zealand's muttonbird population.
April 29 2012
A study near Auckland has found a third of the birds, also known as sooty shearwater or titi, failed to return this summer after spending the southern winter in their northern hemisphere base near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Department of Conservation researcher Graeme Taylor says the birds that did return were in a poor condition.
A separate study by Ngai Tahu and Te Papa of 30 chicks from the Ti Ti Islands, near Stewart Island, found no trace of radioactive material - making them safe to eat.
Listen to more on Morning Report
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/104545/muttonbird-numbers-lower