Traps and dogs kill many kiwi
More than two dozen kiwi have been killed or maimed by roaming dogs and possum traps in the Far North in the past two years.
The latest incident included a female kiwi who was found stuck in a leg-hold trap by two Top Energy workers in the Mangamuka area late September.
Its leg had been severely damaged and the bird was passed on to the local vet and Kiwi’s for Kiwi advocate Wendy Sporle.
Sporle - who runs a treatment and rehabilitation facility from her Kaitaia home - says she was initially concerned the bird would lose its leg.
But after round-the-clock care, things were looking good, she says. The bird was released last week.
‘‘We don’t know how long she was caught but her leg was swollen and foot completely cold. Well done to these guys who found her in time.’’
Soon after this rescue, a second kiwi was found caught in a trap in the same area.
It’s a sad start to Save Kiwi Month held in October to protect the native bird.
The Department of Conservation and Whakaangi Landcare Trust are urging dog owners to undertake kiwi avoidance training after 26 dead kiwi were picked up by volunteers in the HihiTaemaro area in the past two years.
‘‘In the last two years the HihiTaemaro locals, working hard to protect kiwi, have found 26 kiwi savaged to death by dogs,’’ DOC Kaitaia Operations Manager David Neho says.
‘‘It’s heart breaking to find kiwi killed by dogs. That’s because we know these deaths can be prevented if dog owners keep their dogs under control at all times.’’
Sporle says while the biggest risk to the vulnerable adult native bird was dogs, ground set traps could be a real problem.
Possum control was essential, but it could be done without putting kiwi and other ground dwelling birds at risk, she says.
‘‘The traps should be elevated, people do not need to lay the traps on the ground. It can be pretty grim out there.’’
Dog owners are invited to a kiwi avoidance training session in Taemaro on October 15. Phone Sandra 09 406 1745 or 027 497 4990.
For information on Save Kiwi Month visit kiwisforkiwi.org