A $5000 reward offered to anyone who can confirm the South Island kokako is still alive generated 40 reports of possible encounters, and interest from around the world. The South Island kokako (Callaeas cinereus, rear) had orange wattles, while the North Island kokako (Callaeas wilsoni, front) has blue wattles, as shown in this 1888 painting by John Gerrard Keulemans. The South Island Kokako Charitable Trust announced the reward last month. Kokako trust spokeswoman Inger Perkins said the response had been phenomenal. "We have received over 40 reports of possible encounters, some recent and others from longer ago, stretching back a few decades for a few of them,'' she said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 03, 2017 20:20 UTC