Some sad news on the Kiwi Coast – Sheryl the kiwi has succumbed to her car injuries, despite concerted efforts to help her recover and rehabilitate.
Malcolm Pullman from Sandy Bay Kiwi says: “After several weeks of intensive care, during which Sheryl showed some initial signs of recovery, veterinarians advised that she was too badly hurt to fully recover and needed to be euthanized.”
Sheryl was found injured on the Matapouri roadside in late December, unable to stand. After being taken in to the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre and receiving dedicated care she showed signs of improvement – including taking food fed to her and bearing some weight on her legs.
However, after several weeks she was still unable to walk or feed herself and was not thriving.
Sheryl was one of three young kiwi released on the Tutukaka Coast in November. Two, including Sheryl, had radio transmitters attached so they could be tracked as they moved into their new surroundings. Their travels around the coastal gullies and ridges sparked great interest among locals and visitors, helping people to understand the wanderings of wild kiwi as they sought their own territories and mates.
Unfortunately, Sheryl’s wanderings took her on to Matapouri Road where it appeared she was struck by a car. Tutukaka Landcare coordinator Mike Camm says:
“When you’re driving on the Kiwi Coast at night, please be extra vigilant and don’t try to run over possums. Leave the pest control to the trappers. That brown shape crossing the road may just be a kiwi”.
Locals have erected a small cross on the roadside in memory of where Sheryl was hit and to remind motorists to take care.
If you find an injured or dead kiwi please ring the Department of Conservation emergency hotline immediately 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
