Kiwi hit by car on State Highway 4 released after rehab at Wildbase Hospital

Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Kelly Brider holds young kiwi Tairei ready for release. Photo / Department of Conservation

A young male kiwi has been returned to the wild following two months of treatment after being hit by a car on State Highway 4, Parapara.

On November 20 a car struck the kiwi on the highway between Whanganui and Raetihi.

The driver put the bird in the car, securing it in two fabric shopping bags, and reported the incident to the Department of Conservation (DoC).

On DoC’s recommendation, the driver took the kiwi from Whanganui to Palmerston North to receive care at Wildbase Hospital - a veterinary clinic associated with the Massey University veterinary school.

“He was unable to stand, he had blood around his nose and mouth, suggesting he had some damage to his lungs, and he wasn’t breathing very well,” senior practicing veterinarian Dr Megan Jolly said.

A CT scan found the kiwi had a broken pelvis and damaged lungs.

Brown kiwi Tairei being treated for injuries by Wildbase Hospital. Photo / Wildbase Hospital, Tāwharau Ora Massey University

His treatment consisted of oxygen, IV fluids, physio, painkillers and lots of rest.

“Kiwi boys, as a general rule, tend to be really good to have in hospital, they just eat their food and mind their manners, and it’s the girls that are hard to get on with,” Jolly said.

“But this guy was particularly spicy. He didn’t like being handled or being tubed for his medication. He did quite a bit of jumping around so he really did his physio on his own.”

DoC biodiversity ranger Kelly Brider said that liveliness helped the bird “to power through his rehabilitation - he was well and truly ready to go home.”

On January 10, after two months of treatment, the kiwi was released near the Parapara Road Banana Bridge.

The process involved DoC, Wildbase and hapū Whaikiterangi, who named the kiwi Tairei.

“We gifted him the whānau name Tairei, which goes back to our great, great grandfather. I know our tūpuna will watch over him,” kuia Karina Williams said.

Before the release, a burrow was sourced and prepared for Tairei.

“We met [Wildbase] up at the marae and Karina did a karakia for the bird, then we released him into his burrow,” Brider said.

DoC commended the driver who hit Tairei for contacting DoC, keeping him safe and comfortable overnight, and transporting him to Palmerston North.

According to DoC, brown kiwi numbers in Whanganui National Park and surrounding areas are projected to grow by 1000 in the next few years, which increased the need for awareness.

“It’s just being aware really that, as the population grows, they might be in areas you think they may not be - closer to urban environments and on the roads,” Brider said.

People who find an injured or dead kiwi should call their local DoC office.

“They have a 24-hour emergency hotline, and they will give you options there and help you out as best they can depending on the situation,” Brider said.

Olivia Reid is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.