An injured tawaki was reported to DOC, who picked it up and took it to the local West Coast vets in Hokitika.
The penguin needed stitches for a wound to the abdomen and then he or she, was taken to rehabilitator, Tracy Johnston-Coates for care until well enough for release.
The penguin was named Falcon following the alphabet for new residents, and spent three weeks regaining strength and getting ready for release, with great help from New World Hokitika’s fresh fish folk and Westfleet in Greymouth who kindly provided fish for Falcon.
After three weeks, the stitches were dissolving, the wound was healed and Falcon was keen to return to the ocean, so keen in fact that she pushed the mesh away from the frame of the enclosure, which had to be reinforced!
After a quick visit to the vet when the wound was checked and an identification chip inserted, Falcon was taken to the beach for release.
She seemed to acknowledge her human helpers before heading away.
While materials were chosen that would stand up to the harsh coastal conditions, those same coastal conditions are conducive to plant growth! Occasional checks of the fences have been carried out by volunteers and rangers so that any maintenance needs can be identified and remedied. The never-ending need for maintenance is managing the vegetation that can grow through the fence, for example gorse, blackberry and hydrangea, pushing it to breaking point in places, or flop over causing damage from the weight of rank grass, rushes and weeds such as montbretia.
Volunteers recently spent a few hours tidying up the main fence along Woodpecker Bay north of Punakaiki so a big shout out to them - thank you Fiona, Jony, Reef, Katrina, Mandy, Marty, Teresa and Deb! Flax had been pressing down on the fence, but now the fence has been freed up by these wonderful volunteers - and they picked up a fair bit of rubbish too.
Volunteer Natassja Savidge has offered to check and help maintain the Hokitika penguin protection fence and joined Ranger Lucy Waller and Manager Inger Perkins in May to inspect the length of the fence. Some minor issues were found but the main finding was the extent of the vegetation growth that was damaging the fence in places. Big thanks to Natassja!
