Oscar high on the slopes of Temple Basin
Oscar gets killed on Highway 73
A very sad day for Arthur's Pass. Oscar, a Great Spotted Kiwi, we have known since February 2008, was found dead on Highway 73 last night by the NZ Post transport driver. Oscar had been struck by a vehicle only moments earlier, but had un-survivable injuries.Oscar was one of the earliest Juveniles discovered in 2008 when the Wildlife Trust commenced its Kiwi study. We followed Oscar, and his eventual partner, Dagmar, for 6 years. In that time seeing him father several successful chicks, and a couple of failed incubations,
Oscar's "territory" unfortunately had always crossed the highway & the Bealey River, being one of the largest at 100Ha, and he had been witnessed having close shaves with vehicles in the past. Kiwi in this valley are recruiting juveniles at just under 10% p.a., so it is very likely that the territory may get "sub-divided" by incoming sub-adults.
We have always presumed Dagmar to be quite an older female, so it is very unclear whether she would find a new mate, or even bother.