In order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, New Zealand is currently under lockdown and people are not allowed to leave their homes except to buy daily necessities and take walks around the neighborhood. Meanwhile, news has come out that a Kiwi has invaded and wandered around someone's kitchen... Today's news is about the Kiwi, the national bird of New Zealand and a natural monument that cannot fly.
Kiwi caught on camera wandering around someone's kitchen!
A kiwi was caught on camera wandering around the kitchen of a conservation officer's house on Little Barrier Island, a nature reserve island located about 80km north of Auckland! It was posted on the Department of Conservation's Instagram and quickly became a hot topic.
Little Barrier Island is a nature reserve and communication can be poorly coordinated, but this Kiwi did not receive the message that he was not to have contact with anyone other than his resident Kiwi during lockdown.
This video was captured by a conservation officer showing a young Kiwi wandering into someone else's home without permission.
Not wanting to catch Kiwi or startle him, the rangers watched him closely as he relaxed and walked from the dining room to the kitchen, then slowly out the kitchen door and back into the forest.
Kiwis are nocturnal birds, but it is not uncommon to see them during the day. Just the other day, a conservation officer on this island saw a Kiwi drinking water from a pond in the garden, probably due to the recent dry weather. However, after observing, it did not seem that the Kiwi was dehydrated or weak, but simply liked to explore. Later, a Kiwi was also seen eating a centipede in the garden.
Kiwi, the national bird and symbol of New Zealand
The kiwi is endemic to New Zealand and is currently an endangered species designated as a natural monument.
New Zealand is rich in nature and is home to many endemic species other than the Kiwi, but the Kiwi is so beloved as the country's symbol that New Zealanders are referred to as "Kiwi" rather than "New Zealander."
If we look at other countries, their symbols are some kind of strong or agile animal, such as the eagle in America, the deer in South Africa, and even the dragon in Wales, so why has the kiwi become such a symbol of New Zealand?
The Kiwi is colour blind, apathetic, weak in self-defence and, most importantly, flightless, yet it is said that its uniqueness is what makes it the symbol of New Zealand in so many ways.
Firstly, Kiwis are considered sacred beings with strong historical and cultural ties to the Maori people, the indigenous people of New Zealand.
According to a Maori legend, long ago, the god of the forest asked the birds to protect the forest from insects, and Kiwi sacrificed himself by descending from the sky to the earth to fulfill that role, and as a result, he lost his wings.
The Maori considered kiwi feathers to be highly prized (although they are not particularly valuable today as they cannot be caught), and used them to make coats for people of high status.
Although Kiwis are gentle, they actually have strong bone marrow and very strong legs. Kiwi eggs can grow to be so large that they take up 20% of the mother Kiwi's body. This is about the same size as a human giving birth to a 3-4 year old baby.
Also, because of its unique shape, it has been popular as a logo mark since early times. One example is Kiwi, a shoe cream brand that is often seen in Japan. In addition, Kiwi marks are often attached to products made in New Zealand, so many people may have seen it as a souvenir from New Zealand.
→ Mark for products made in New Zealand
*The link is currently broken.
Birds enjoy quiet New Zealand during lockdown
Other birds also seem to be enjoying the quiet New Zealand with no people outside due to lockdown.
→ New Zealand's native birds thrive under Covid-19 lockdown
No longer afraid of people, cars, buses or other vehicles, New Zealand's endemic birds - Kererū perch on backyard fences, pīwakawaka hang out in office blocks and tūī sing louder than usual.
says STUFF.
The (human) Kiwis, who are allowed to go on walks around the neighborhood, also seem to be enjoying the birds' songs, though not as loudly as usual.
The rare kārearea (New Zealand's national eagle) was also photographed in the streets of the capital, Wellington.
New Zealand was a paradise for endemic animals, but humans have disrupted the environment, increasing dangers, and many animals, like the kiwi, are now at risk of extinction.
COVID-19 is causing suffering to people all over the world, and although it brings with it mixed feelings, it seems like peace is returning to nature.
