Kiwi can't cheat death a second time

4.00pm

A plucky kiwi that cheated death in the jaws of a possum trap eight months ago has died in the jaws of a dog.

Sunny, a female North Island brown kiwi, was released in Egmont National Park on January 6 after spending almost six months recovering from life-threatening wounds inflicted by a possum trap in the Ahu Ahu Valley near Wanganui.

She surprised vets at Massey University by fighting off infection and the pain caused by the amputation of two of her mangled toes to make a full recovery.

Sunny also captured the hearts of Wanganui people who rallied to provide hundreds of earthworms for her while she was being nursed by Dawne Morton of Bird Rescue Wanganui/Manawatu.

This week the same vets who helped save Sunny's life confirmed through a post-mortem she had been killed by a dog.

Department of Conservation threatened species expert Nic Peet said the discovery of Sunny's mauled body was a bitter blow considering efforts the department and the Taranaki Kiwi Trust had made to protect kiwi by launching a massive stoat-trapping operation in the park.

"Sunny's death clearly illustrates why people cannot take dogs into the national park, because just one loose animal can do incredible damage. And with only about 40 pairs of birds left in the park, one dog like this can wipe out our entire kiwi population," he said.

Mrs Morton, who spent five months nursing Sunny, said she was "utterly devastated and disappointed" at the loss. "It's so unnecessary. Human error got her the first time and now it looks as though it's got her again."

Nga Rauru Kiitahi spokesman Darryn Ratana, who helped hand Sunny over to welcoming iwi Ngati Ruanui, said iwi members were dismayed at her demise.

Up to her death, Dr Peet said monitoring via a transmitter attached to Sunny's leg had shown her to be active and adapting well to her new environment.

"She was in excellent body condition, so was obviously quite happy in her new home and putting on weight."

Dr Peet said DOC staff were looking for the dog and would destroy it if found. Under the National Parks Act, penalties for anyone caught with a dog in a national park without a permit can include fines of up to $10,000 or up to a year in prison.

- NZPA