A kiwi hurt in a Department of Conservation release into Nelson's Lake Rotoiti region faces a long recovery.
Mohua, an adult female, has been cared for at the Massey University wildlife health centre in Palmerston North since May, when the end of her beak was broken off while she was beingtransferred from Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park to Rotoiti as part of the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project.
Massey vet Kerri Morgan said the kiwi lost about 1cm off the end of her bill right by the nostrils. "She's lost one nostril, but there is still one left and we are going to try to reconstruct a second nostril," she said.
Wildlife Ward head Brett Gartrell said Mohua was regaining her strength but it would be months before it would be known whether she could return to the wild.
Once fit enough, Mohua would be taken to Mt Bruce Wildlife Reserve, where she would be monitored to assess whether she could go back to the wild.
The biodiversity programme manager at the DoC St Arnaud area office, Brian Paton, said the nine kiwi that were released were doing well. One female had gone walkabout to the other end of the lake but the others were staying around the area they were released.
It was hoped Mohua would eventually be able to return to Rotoiti.
