Freedom in the wild awaits well-travelled kiwi

A young Riponui kiwi found in December with a serious head/neck injury will be released back to the wild at Riponui tomorrow (11 March).

The kiwi was discovered within the Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary three months ago, with an inner-ear infection which caused its head to twist upside down. The kiwi survived emergency flights with Eagle Air and Air Nelson, followed by specialist care and treatment at the New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre at MasseyUniversity. 

 In January the kiwi boarded an aeroplane again, this time returning to Northland. The kiwi was released on Matakohe-LimestoneIsland, in the WhangareiHarbour. This temporary home was needed to ensure the kiwi could adjust to life back in the wild. The island is home to other kiwi and used as a crèche for the BNZ’s Operation Nest Egg (BNZONE) programme. 

The kiwi was monitored via a radio-transmitter ever few days and weighed weekly by Matakohe-LimestoneIslandresident ranger Jo Barr. He has been steadily gaining weight since release. 

"This kiwi is a real character with a great fighting spirit. He expresses his reluctance to be handled by growling and snapping at me" says Jo Barr. 

The kiwi will be released tomorrow by DOC kiwi ranger Megan Topia. 

 "Riponui Scenic Reserve has predator control for stoats and cats, and the local community really support kiwi in their area by keeping dogs under control, so this kiwi has a very good chance of surviving. It is a real pleasure to be able to release a kiwi into the wild knowing that it could survive and breed there for decades" says Megan Topia. 

Kiwi can live for more than 50 years in the wild where dogs are always under control.  The injured bird, thought to be about a year old, should have a long life ahead and be able to contribute to Whangarei kiwi populations if protected from threats such as dogs. 

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For more information contact Emma Craig, 09 4365350/0273104972 or Megan Topia, 09 4703371