Kiwi Coast’s Rehab Centre is proving a success with two kiwi chicks rescued, rehabbed and released.
Kiwi Coast’s Far North Coordinator and retired vet Lesley Baigent was part of the rehab crew helping the wild kiwi chicks recover and gain weight over the last five months. She shares their story…
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The first two longer term residents of Kiwi Coast’s Kiwi Rehabilitation Centre (Te Korowai Atawhai o Puketōtara) have been successfully rehabilitated back to full health and released into the Opua State Forest.
The two juvenile kiwi, nicknamed “Swampy” and “Sassy”, had both come from Moturoa Island in early February when the dry conditions were threatening their survival. This island, in the Bay of Islands, has a very high kiwi density thanks to 40 years of predator and dog control. The original 7 kiwi (rescued from Waitangi forest when forestry operations began) bred incredibly well and now the island is home to hundreds of kiwi.
This success created a problem when there were too many kiwi and conditions became too dry. These two young kiwi were discovered underweight during a kiwi population survey and were sent to the new purpose built mainland facility where they have been looked after for the last five months by volunteers from the Puketōtara Landcare group with the support of Kiwi Coast and retired vets.
Swampy, a male, and Sassy, a stroppy female, were treated for worms and coccidiosis and slowly gained weight reaching the magic 1200grams where they are considered big enough to take a stoat on. Kiwi are slow to grow, usually taking six months to get to this weight, and during this time they are the most vulnerable to predators such as stoats, cats and dogs. By keeping these two safe in a pest free facility, they were able to recover and then thrive.
Throughout their stay they were fed a specially designed diet of ox heart, mince, fruit, vegetables and calcium supplements (at a cost of $2.50 each per day), a little different than their wild diet of larvae, beetles, worms and berries but they have thrived. Old rotten logs were added to their enclosures and they spent many hours ripping them apart to feed on insects within. On release on July 22nd they were both in excellent condition and fit for their, hopefully, next 50 years.
The Opua State Forest is extensively trapped for pests and predators by the Bay Bush Action group. This local community based group has a large group of volunteers helping protect the forest and precious wildlife as well as educating the community about dog and cat control. Releasing these two young kiwi into the forest is a great reward for all those helping to keep that forest safe. They will be joining the 21 adult kiwi were released into this forest from Moturoa island in May this year.
This whole journey has shown how communities are making a real difference for our precious kiwi. The Moturoa Island landowners 40 years of pest control, the purpose built centre, funded by Kiwi Coast, the dedication of the Puketōtara Landcare group caring for these little guys, the donation of ox heart by locals and the ongoing forest protection by Bay Bush Action has allowed kiwi to thrive.
This facility was designed to look after kiwi affected by drought, injury or disease. Find out how you can become a Kiwi Rehabilitation Sponsor here.
