Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, or D to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

The kiwi is a fascinating and special bird, which cannot fly, unlike most other bird species. Native to New Zealand, it is also a(n) (21) species. It is estimated that there were once millions of kiwis in the country. However, there has been a rapid decrease in their population with (22) 70,000 left in the wild today. Historically, the decline was the result of the birds being hunted for meat, skins, and feathers. There are still two other threats to their survival: (23) loss and predators. Deforestation has considerably reduced areas of natural forests. Many of them have been converted into farmland or towns (24) economic purposes. This has reduced the kiwi's natural habitat and pushed them into areas (25) they are more vulnerable to predators such as dogs and wild cats. These predators often eat kiwi eggs of attack young kiwis. That is why New Zealand has launched c plan to save their national bird from extinction.

Native to New Zealand, it is also a(n) (21) species