Iti

Hatched 4/1/06

At Hodge’s Bush, a small study site on private land NW of Kamo (part of the Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary). Father, Joshua, has been studied for 10-12 years.

Iti had been transmittered since hatching and had been closely monitored with 2 weekly checks alternating position only and full weight & measurement check.

Found 18/12/06 with a broken mandible by Paul Cornille of DOC. After an initial assessment by the vet she was sent to Massey University Wildlife Ward. She has 19mm missing from her bottom beak, and although her top beak was broken, it has repaired very bent. Fortunately her nostrils and the sensors at the tip of her top beak are alright.

She spent about 3 weeks at the Massey University Wildlife Ward before being flown back up to Whangarei and coming to the Kiwi House. She arrived at Whangarei Kiwi House on 10/1/07.

Hand-feeding her was a messy and time-consuming process, but after some experimentation with different food containers, she is now feeding herself really well.

She has recovered all the weight she had lost and has continued to increase. She will now stay in captivity and, as she is coping so well, will join the breeding programme.

We are still waiting to hear from the National Coordinators whether we can pair Iti with one of our males.