By JO-MARIE BROWN
Honey the kiwi was almost killed by a stoat when she was first released into the wild. Now she's ready to try again.
The six-month-old kiwi will be sent back into the Kaweka Ranges in the central North Island next Wednesday, although when she was set free
in January she lasted just two weeks before being attacked and left for dead.
Since then, Honey has been cared for at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua, where she hatched as part of Operation Nest Egg. Staff admit they're nervous about how she'll cope this time round.
"You get goosebumps at the thought of her going back out, but you know that that's what's going to happen," Claire Travers said.
"But knowing the damage that stoats can do ... "
Feathers are growing again over the 7cm wound around the back of Honey's neck and Claire Travers, who supervises the Rotorua Kiwi House, said the bird's recovery had been remarkable.
"I thought she'd just have a bald patch because the actual wound was so deep.
"If she'd been out there for another 24 hours she certainly would have been dead."
Honey has put on over 300g since she was rescued by a Department of Conservation officer. Now, at 1250g, she is bigger than when first released.
More than 60 kiwis had been reared or cared for by Operation Nest Egg since 1995 before returning to the wild. Honey is the only one staff have had to help twice.
Claire Travers said the kiwi's feisty personality and confidence were also returning.
"Before, she was quite toey and had lots of attitude. Now she's a bit more reticent, not quite as vocal, but she's still got a bit of oomph in her."
Before being released into a new nest site, where it's hoped she will find a mate, Honey's leg will be refitted with a tiny transmitter - which allowed DoC staff to find her last time.
nzherald.co.nz/environment
