Injured kereru back in wild after treatment

Al Browne
Al Browne
A native New Zealand pigeon has been nursed back to health after suffering a shoulder fracture in Glenorchy.

The kereru, nicknamed Kev, was dropped off at the home of Kiwi Birdlife Park director Paul Wilson who took it to the park on Upper Brecon St, Queenstown, for an assessment.

Senior keeper Al Browne said it was a common injury for the species.

He was unsure of the exact cause but it was probably from flying into a window or being hit by a car.

‘‘It’s an impact injury.’’

The endemic bird was released back into the wild on Sunday night after an eight-week stint between Queenstown and Dunedin’s Project Kereru facility.

It is a voluntary conservation initiative dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of the native pigeon.

It confirmed the coracoid fracture diagnosis after completing an X-ray.

Mr Browne was delighted by the outcome.

‘‘It’s a protected species so the more we can release the better they will be.’’

He also confirmed the park had been ‘‘really busy’’ rehabilitating other birds.

‘‘We successfully released two tui last week and may be getting a kea soon. He was found injured in Fiordland [National Park] and is currently receiving care in the new Dunedin wildlife hospital and we will do rehab if necessary.’’

 

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