Sheryl the kiwi – released just six weeks ago by Tutukaka Landcare – has been found bruised and unable to walk on Matapouri Road. Her injuries suggest she was struck by a car when crossing the road, and locals are urging motorists to slow down at night to keep roaming kiwi safe on the Kiwi Coast.
Article by Nan Pullman, from Tutukaka Landcare Coalition, December 30, 2017.
This morning I found Sheryl the kiwi injured but alive on the side of Matapouri Road and took her into Robert Webb at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre to be checked.
She is unable to stand or walk and it seems she may have suffered a glancing blow from a vehicle as she crossed this extremely busy road last night.
An initial assessment confirmed she had feeling in her legs, her bill was intact and there was no sign of external bleeding, but she does have a stiff leg and is unable to walk.
We are hoping that she is just bruised and will recover in the next little while so she can return to our coast.
Released at Tawapou Farm on 17 November, Sheryl’s movements have been closely monitored by a transmitter attached to her leg, as she explored her new home. Sheryl spent most of the past month in several bush gullies near her release site but she started to head towards Matapouri a couple of days ago making us very nervous.
Meanwhile, other kiwi monitored by Tutukaka Landcare are safe and sound. Henreeta is still tucked into Horseshoe Bay; Kicker is out on the coast at Tawapou and Kokiri is just in behind Sandy Bay.
The traffic has been very heavy the past few days around the coast. Please tell family, friends and visitors to slow down on the roads and take special care at night as they may well find a kiwi crossing in front of them.
For regular news and priority updates on the Tutukaka kiwi, signup to the Kiwi Coast ‘Follow a Kiwi’ Program.
