FILE PHOTO
ŌTOROHANGA-raised kiwi have laid Wellington’s first wild egg in recent memory.
The egg was discovered last week by members of the Capital Kiwi Project team, which was the driving force in getting kiwi back into the hills of Wellington.
Kiwi were released to the project from Ōtorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park, notably including 42-year-old breeding superstar, Anahera, pictured.
The historic egg was found last week under kiwi dad Whiro, who went to Wellington as a bachelor.
Kiwi house general manager Jo Russell said Whiro is thought to have bred with Taina, who had produced two clutches of eggs previously.
No one wanted to count the egg before it hatched, but Jo said it was a positive sign. Ōtorohanga kiwi house and kaitiaki Ngāti Hinewai were involved in the journey of 11 kiwi to their new home without fences in November.
They were released to an area of Wellington that was subject to extensive predator trapping and monitoring by the Capital Kiwi Project.
Because of how the kiwi were cared for while in captivity in Ōtorohanga, where they weren’t overly reliant on an artificial diet; they were able to make the transition to the wild without too much difficulty.
As a result, all but one kiwi had maintained or increased body weight since release. Experts weren’t concerned about the one kiwi which had lost weight, Jo said, because he still had good body condition.
Jo was full of kudos for the Capital Kiwi Project team and the community alike for the effort that went into making the release happen.
“What a fantastic start for a team of people in the community that have worked so incredibly hard to create a safe space for kiwi and other animals.”
