Kiwi trapped in Kaikohe loses toe but lives another day

Kiwi handler Lesley Baigent and iwi representative Ted Wihongi place the young kiwi into a prepared burrow. PHOTO / DEBBIE BEADLE

A kiwi caught in a possum leg-hold trap is ''very lucky'' it only lost a toe and could be returned to the wild, a DoC ranger says.

The young male kiwi was released in Kaikohe Reserve, off Reservoir Rd on the town's outskirts, on Tuesday after a fortnight's recuperation at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre.

Department of Conservation community ranger Helen Ough Dealy said the bird was caught in a leg-hold trap on private land near Kaikohe in March.

''This is one very lucky bird. The trapper did the right thing by bringing the bird into DoC so that we could organise for its injuries to be treated,'' she said.

Beverly Magon of Kaikohe was allowed to briefly hold the kiwi, an experience she said was almost as good as holding her grandchildren for the first time. PHOTO / DEBBIE BEADLE

One toe had to be amputated but the bird recovered well from its ordeal. It was released about 1km from where it was caught because pest control in the reserve by the Puketotara Landcare Trust would give the kiwi extra protection from possums, rats and feral cats.

The take-home message for trappers and landowners was to make sure traps were at least 70cm from the ground, even in areas where kiwi were not thought to live.

''With increased pest control by the public and community conservation groups, kiwi are moving into areas they haven't been before ... They can live anywhere and are really vulnerable to traps in the wrong place,'' Mrs Ough Dealy said.

The bird was released into a pre-prepared burrow by kiwi handler Lesley Baigent and iwi representative Ted Wihongi.

Among those who took part in the release was Beverly Magon of Kaikohe, who came only intending to watch but was briefly allowed to hold the bird.

''It was amazing, overwhelming and very special ... It was almost as good as holding your grandchildren for the first time,'' she said.

Andrew Mentor, of the Kiwi Coast landcare group, said predator control would be ramped up in the reserve in honour of the bird's survival.

A year earlier 50 stoats had been caught in the area along with several dogs and feral cats.