A Northland man recently discovered a gruesome sight as well as a sinister tale when he found a dead kiwi that had been plucked of most of its feathers.
The bird was found hanging from a fence.
Injuries on the eight-month-old, male brown kiwi were consistent with being savaged bya dog, a Massey University autopsy found.
The report describes severe "musculoskeletal trauma" in the form of deep bruising, puncture wounds and multiple rib and sternal fractures.
The pathology report also said it was clear someone had removed the bird's feathers after it died.
The carcass was found by a man who took photos of it then notified Kauri Coast Department of Conservation (DoC). A ranger collected the bird and DoC organised the necropsy
DoC would not reveal where the bird that had most of its body feathers removed had been found but said the fence fordered a forestry block.
The matter has been forwarded to DoC's investigative team.
