What are the two reasons kiwi are endangered?

Answer 1

The main predators of a kiwi are introduced species, including ferrets, stoats, cats, and dogs. Some animals such as weasels and rats are thought to eat the kiwi eggs. These creatures account for up to 95% of kiwi deaths.

Since Kiwi are unable to fly, it is harder for them to protect themselves from these predators.

Prior to European occupation of New Zealand, the main predator of kiwi was Haast's Eagle. This bird is now extinct.
Rats, stoats, weasels, possums, feral cats, dogs all predate on the kiwi or kiwi eggs

Answer 2

The biggest threat to the kiwi comes from dogs, feral cats and other imported pets including the stoat, of all things. New Zealand has no native predators. Being a small, flightless bird, its defenses are extremely limited. Many kiwis are also killed every year by unregistered Pig-Hunting dogs (registratrion requires Kiwi Aversion training) and being killed while crossing roads/highways.

Loss of habitat due to deforestation and destruction of large tracts of native bush is also endangering the kiwi. Not only does this threaten its food sources, but deforestation means the kiwi has fewer places to hide from its many predators. Prior to Europeans coming to New Zealand, the kiwi enjoyed a healthy population.

Answer 3

Kiwi no longer have any natural predators. Haast's Eaglewas its only natural predator, but this bird is now extinct.

All the kiwi's predators are now introduced, and they include dogs, cats, stoats and ferrets.

Answer 4

Firstly, there are more than two reasons why kiwi are endangered.

Secondly, not all species of kiwi are endangered.

All species, however, are certainly under threat. The main reason why two of the five recognised species of kiwi are officially endangered is due to dogs, feral cats and other imported pets including stoats and ferrets. New Zealand has no native predators. Being a small, flightless bird, the kiwi's defenses are extremely limited. Many kiwis are also killed every year by unregistered Pig-Hunting dogs (registration requires Kiwi Aversion training) and being killed while crossing roads/highways.

Loss of habitat due to deforestation and destruction of large tracts of native bush is also endangering the kiwi. Not only does this threaten its food sources, but deforestation means the kiwi has fewer places to hide from its many predators. Prior to Europeans coming to New Zealand, the kiwi enjoyed a healthy population.

Answer 5

Not all species of kiwi are endangered, but they are all certainly under threat, and their greatest dangers are a direct result of Man - especially since European settlement of New Zealand.

The kiwi is endangered (or potentially endangered) by dogs, feral cats and other imported pets including the stoat. New Zealand has no native predators. Being a small, flightless bird, the kiwi's defences are extremely limited. Many kiwis are also killed every year by unregistered Pig-Hunting dogs (registration requires Kiwi Aversion training) and being killed while crossing roads/highways.

Loss of habitat due to deforestation and destruction of large tracts of native bush is also endangering the kiwi. Not only does this threaten its food sources, but deforestation means the kiwi has fewer places to hide from its many predators.

Prior to Europeans coming to New Zealand, the kiwi enjoyed a healthy population.

Answer 6

It is not so much the kiwi's habitat that is causing it to become endangered, but the threats to the kiwi's habitat.

For most species of kiwi, their natural habitat is native forests but they are now found in kauri and coniferous forest where the undergrowth is dominated by tree ferns. However, due to habitat clearing, kiwi are now forced to survive in semi-wooded forest, scrubland and agricultural areas. Thus, deforestation and land-clearing is a major threat to the kiwi's habitat.

Possums are a major threat to the kiwi's habitat. In New Zealand, possums are taking over native bushland. They eat the birds' foods (including the kiwi's food) and their eggs. Possums strip the native plants of leaves, buds, flowers, fruits and seeds, meaning less chances of propagation. New Zealand trees do not have defensive chemicals, meaning the possums can continue to eat from one tree until the tree has been severely affected. Many of these plant species are disappearing from the New Zealand forests, and allowing invasive non-native species to take hold of the forests. This, too, destroys the kiwi's habitat.