The great spotted kiwi population started declining when European settlers first arrived in New Zealand.
Before settlers arrived, about 12 million great spotted kiwis lived in New Zealand.
This bird is often preyed upon by invasive pigs, dogs, ferrets and stoats, leading to a 5% chick survival rate.
It has more of an advantage than other kiwi species over these predators because it lives in high altitude areas, where the wet upland population thrives.
However, there has been a decrease in population of 43% in the past 45 years, and has declined 90% since 1900.
Humans have also endangered the species by destroying their habitat by logging forests and building mines.
Previously, humans hunted these kiwis for feathers and food.
In 1988, the species was listed as Least Concern species.
It is currently classified by the IUCN as a vulnerable species.
 This kiwi has an occurrence range of 8,500 km² (3,300 sq mi), and in 2000 an estimated 22,000 adult birds remained.
They have been trending down about 5.8% a year.
The main threat is from invasive predators including mustelids, brush-tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula, feral cats, dogs and pigs The most threatened populations are in the southern areas of the species' range.
Less than 16,000 great spotted kiwis remain.
Movements for saving the kiwi are in place, and sanctuaries for the great spotted kiwi have been made.
Thanks to intensive trapping and poisoning efforts the chick survival rate has been raised to about 60% in areas where mammalian pest control is undertaken.
The great spotted kiwi population started declining when European settlers first arrived in New Zealand. Before settlers arrived, about 12 million great spotted kiwis lived in New Zealand. This bird is often preyed upon by invasive pigs, dogs, ferrets and stoats, leading to a 5% chick survival rate. It has more of an advantage than other kiwi species over these predators because it lives in high altitude areas, where the wet upland population thrives. However, there has been a decrease in population of 43% in the past 45 years, and has declined 90% since 1900. Humans have also endangered the species by destroying their habitat by logging forests and building mines. Previously, humans hunted these kiwis for feathers and food. In 1988, the species was listed as Least Concern species. It is currently classified by the IUCN as a vulnerable species.  This kiwi has an occurrence range of 8,500 km² (3,300 sq mi), and in 2000 an estimated 22,000 adult birds remained. They have been trending down about 5.8% a year. The main threat is from invasive predators including mustelids, brush-tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula, feral cats, dogs and pigs The most threatened populations are in the southern areas of the species' range. Less than 16,000 great spotted kiwis remain. Movements for saving the kiwi are in place, and sanctuaries for the great spotted kiwi have been made. Thanks to intensive trapping and poisoning efforts the chick survival rate has been raised to about 60% in areas where mammalian pest control is undertaken.
Great spotted kiwi