Injured Kiwi Darkstar to Return to Wild

A BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ (O.N.E.) kiwi, Darkstar was hatched at the Zoo in September 2007 and then released onto kiwi crèche Motuora Island.

Last October Department of Conservation (DOC) staff relocated her with eight other O.N.E. kiwi to the Tutakaka Landcare Coalition conservation area.  In late April, the adventurous bird travelled 7km southeast of landowner Mike Camm’s property – where she encountered a main road and was subsequently hit.

Thanks to the quick-thinking action of locals, Amanda and Roger Jones, who chased and caught her after hitting her and then drove her to the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre, Darkstar’s life was saved.   

The Zoo’s New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine vet, Dr John Potter, says Darkstar’s foot is completely healed and she’s now fully weight bearing. Having eaten well during her stay, at just under 2kg, she’s also very healthy and strong.

“The muscles in her foot will need to build up again, and she’ll have a bit of a limp for a couple of months. However, judging by the speed she moved at when we placed her in one of our outside yards last Thursday after removing her cast, I think we can safely say, she’ll cope very well,” says Dr Potter.

DOC kiwi ranger, Pete Graham, says Amanda and Roger Jones, who initially thought they had a hit a possum, did exactly the right things on the evening of the accident.

“For anyone who thinks they’ve hit a kiwi, the best thing to do is to stop the car and get out and check. Please don’t reverse back as you may hit it. If it’s injured, put it somewhere warm and quiet, then get in touch with DOC, a vet, or your local bird recovery centre. Even if the kiwi doesn’t survive, please do let us know,” says Mr Graham.

Mr Graham advises motorists to be on the lookout for kiwi signs on the road, and drive carefully through kiwi areas, especially at night, and says it’s worth remembering, if you see something on the road, it’s not necessarily a possum.

Prior to her release, Darkstar will be fitted with a radio transmitter that will enable both DOC and landowner Mike Camm to follow her closely over the coming months.

Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust executive director Michelle Impey, says given the right conditions, kiwi can live over 50 years, and produce about 100 eggs.

“While Darkstar has been injured, she’s still young and healthy and in a pest-free environment thanks to the work of the Tutukaka Landcare Coalition, so she could go on to make a valuable contribution to the North Island brown kiwi population,” says Ms Impey.

Media Source: Department of Conservation