NZ Village decides to switch off street lights to save rare bird species

The birds are believed to be confused by the street lights and crash on to the road.

AUCKLAND (Dunya News) – A village in New Zealand has decided to turn off the street lights from November to January in an attempt to save rare bird species Westland petrels, who arrive in the town from far flung areas.

Blackish-brown birds with ivory beaks are believed to be confused by the street lights and crash on to the road, where they die after striking by vehicles or being eaten by predators.

Westland Petrel Conservation Trust chairman Bruce Menteath said "New Zealand Transport Agency had finally taken notice of advocates, who had been campaigning for years about the dangers of streetlights."