Set-up: Rowi Kiwi are strictly nocturnal. The kiwi rearing room is lighted 12 hours off from the outside world, daytime at our night time so they are active when people are to observe. Only three of this year’s kiwis still remain at the center, an adult and two very shy juveniles. We are forewarned to be very still and wait for our eyes to get used to the near complete darkness.
We step through the inner door into the nearly dark, red-light lit rearing room. I can’t even see my hand in front of my face. We chill, remembering the guide’s advice to let our eyes acclimate to the very low light. Ok, now I see shapes. Another visitor points out a fuzzy ball a bit smaller than a football. It is the adult Kiwi moving around its enclosure scratching in the wood and leaf litter. We watch intently and keep an eye out for the juveniles next door. Our eyes become more accustomed to the light and I spy a long narrow beak just in the shadows of a nesting box. All at once a slightly smaller fuzzy ball scurries out in search of a snack. Wow they have huge feet. In the wild they eat grubs and worms but here it is a concoction based on beef heart mixed with veggies and minerals. The little guy is pretty hungry and visits two feeding locations. We watch intently until he eats his fill and trots back to his safe hiding spot. I sure hope that they are successful saving these unique critters.