Who Says Kiwi Can’t Fly?

The young kiwi was found injured at Riponui Scenic Reserve, north-west of Whangarei, last Thursday (2 December), by kiwi contractor Tom Donovan.

Mr Donovan and his trained kiwi dog Kowhai were checking birds at the reserve, which is part of the Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary.

“Kowhai started to indicate there was kiwi nearby and when I looked around, I saw it roosting above the ground.  I noticed when it walked, it held its head almost upside down.”

Concerned, Mr Donovan took the bird to the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre for observation and treatment.  Although now stable, the kiwi was not making significant improvement and needs speedy transport to Massey University’s New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre.

How does this happen for a kiwi?  It flies, of course!  With the help of  Eagle Air and Air Nelson, says Whangarei kiwi ranger Emma Craig.

“It’s a wonderful offer for this bird and means it will arrive in Palmerston North only two hours after leaving Whangarei.  Short travel time is hugely beneficial when transporting a sick or injured kiwi.”

It is hoped the kiwi, probably less than a year old, will recover fully and be returned to Riponui.  Like other parts of the Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary, Riponui Scenic Reserve is protected from predators and uses methods such as the BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ programme to support kiwi populations.  Kiwi can live for more than 50 years in the wild in places where dogs are under control at all times.