Source: Massey University
The pūtangitangi was transported to Bird Rescue in Whanganui this morning, where he will be housed with three others who are also about to be released. He will spend a few days with them, giving him the opportunity to live alongside and interact with others of the same species. They will all be released together next week.
Ms Svensson says it’s the best possible outcome for this patient. “This gives him the opportunity to socialise with other pūtangitangi and be released with the group rather than on his own as a naïve and young bird who, due to his ordeal with the dog, never got the opportunity to get to know his own kind.”
She adds that dog attacks on birds often result in fatal or severely debilitating injuries. “It’s a timely reminder to all dog owners to keep dogs on a leash, particularly in areas where birds are feeding, nesting, raising young or moulting. By doing so we can help protect our precious fauna.”
The pūtangitangi is New Zealand’s only species of shelduck. It is endemic to New Zealand and is protected under the Wildlife Act.
The recovery team wish to extend a special thanks to the team at Manawatū Hunting & Fishing for kindly donating the decoy duck.
