A local kiwi conservation project has captured Leonardo DiCaprio's attention.
The actor and keen environmentalist took to his Instagram account to give a shout-out to the efforts of The Capital Kiwi Project, who are working to restore a large-scale wild kiwi population in Wellington.
Along with a beautiful picture of our native bird, Leo wrote: “As the wild disappears from most cities around the world, New Zealand’s capital has been transformed by efforts to welcome native birds into its urban backyard.”
“In 2022, the @capital.kiwi project was launched as a community initiative to help reintroduce iconic Kiwis back into Wellington’s wilds after a 100-year absence,” he added.
“By restoring a wild, sustainable population of Kiwi to Wellington, they are making a significant contribution to saving this beloved species and #rewilding New Zealand.”
The project was stoked with the shout-out, resharing Leo’s story along with “🔑🟤🖤🤙”.
Leo’s shoutout comes just over a month after New Zealand’s national Kiwi hatchery welcomed their 2,500th kiwi chick.
Emma Bean, the Business Manager of the National Kiwi Hatchery, said at the time: “Welcoming the 2500th member into our whānau is a very proud moment for the facility and a testament to the dedication of our team in preserving the national manu of Aotearoa.”
"IT’S AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF NEW ZEALAND’S THREATENED SPECIES THAT ARE IN RAPID DECLINE IN THE WILD.”
DiCaprio is a founding member of Re:Wild who are partnered with 10 Aotearoa-based conservational organisations including Te Papa Atawahi/Department of Conservation and Predator Free 2050.
