These stunning photographs by Malcolm Pullman capture a day in the life of a kiwi as it is released onto the Kiwi Coast.
It’s a long day for both the kiwi and the accredited kiwi handlers involved.
At all times the health and wellbeing of the kiwi is paramount. Strict rules set by the Department of Conservation are followed including that the birds must only be handled by an Accredited Kiwi Handler, the kiwi can only be shown for a maximum of twenty minutes each time, and that if the bird becomes stressed it must be returned to the safety of the custom-built transport box.
There are usually five kiwi releases on the Kiwi Coast each year. Each time, the kiwi are their own best ambassadors as they win the hearts and minds of all they encounter and implore us to help them thrive and roam safely free from the dangers of predators and uncontrolled dogs.
To find out when the next kiwi release is happening on the Kiwi Coast, keep an eye on our Events Calendar.
