Following in Snoopy’s Foot Step

Sparky will now follow in Snoopy’s foot step and take on the role of Kiwi ambassador travelling around schools and other public forums to promote wildlife conservation. Sparky is another one legged kiwi who lives at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre. He came to the Centre as a young bird in 2002, his leg injury was also caused by a “Gin trap” that had been set on the ground to trap possums.

As Sparky takes over this role we will monitor his stress levels carefully, just as we did with Snoopy. We always look at what is best for all the birds we have at the Centre. Reviewing the work Sparky has done so far tells us that he is handling public situations very well.

Here at the Bird Recovery Centre, we firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to see a live kiwi up close. The work that Snoopy did certainly proved the value of this kind of unique experience. People still come up to Robert years after they have left school and ask about Snoopy, remembering how amazing is was to touch and watch a real live kiwi.
 

Sparky cuddling into Robert Webb

Robert giving Sparky a scratch on the back of his neck. It’s very difficult to have a good scratch when you only have one leg.

Sparky hops toward Robert to go back into his aviary

Sparky hopping around the lawn at the Centre

How lovely it is to have a good scratch – Sparky even looks like he is smiling.

Sparky Goes To World Environmental Day 05.06.2008

For the first time New Zealand is the worldwide host of the UN-organised World Environment Day. Part of the celebrations are the children’s art awards, over 15,500 children worldwide entered. The winner was announced by Prime Minister Helen Clark, as Gloria IP Tung 14 Years old from Peoples Republic of China. The children's paintings focus on reducing climate change by planting trees, using energy saving bulbs, sharing vehicles and using public transport. The whole day's agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

Robert and Sparky were invited to the day by Bayer Ltd. Bayer is one of the main sponsors of the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre and are a global partner of the UN Environmental Program. Michael Wallenett (pictured below) is the Bayer deputy senior country representative for New Zealand and Australia.
 

Achim Steiner Executive Director of the UN Environmental Program. Robert Webb holding Sparky the Kiwi with Prime Minister Helen Clark . Surrounded by the children who won art awards.	Prime Minister Helen Clark, Robert Webb holding Sparky the Kiwi with Michael Wallenett from Bayer

Flights from Whangarei to Wellington were sponsored by Eagle Air. "It's the first time he's been to Wellington and the first time he's been on a plane. Sparky will be a bit nervous, but this is an important day and he wanted to be involved," said centre manager Robert Webb.

Accommodation thanks to Museum Hotel Wellington situated right across the road from Te Papa. This was very convenient and ensured very little extra handling stress for Sparky.

Robert said “Showing Sparky as part of the day was a huge success and it was a privilege to be able to share a live kiwi experience with so many people from different countries of the world. In particular the children that were there as part of the art awards for the day. Many people, including New Zealanders, have never even seen a kiwi. Some don't even know what they look like.”
 

Achim Steiner Executive Director of the UN Environmental Program. Robert Webb holding Sparky the Kiwi with Prime Minister Helen Clark . Surrounded by the children who won art awards.	Gloria IP Tung 14 Years old from Peoples Republic of China winner of the art awards with Robert Webb holding Sparky the Kiwi and Michael Wallenett from Bayer.

To illustrate this point Robert talked about what happened as he and Sparky had boarded the flight from Whangarei. A fellow passenger was amazed and very happy to finally see a live kiwi as well as share a flight with a bird that has almost mythical status to many New Zealanders.

Robert and Sparky worked hard during their time away to educate people about how special birds are to our environment. They are another important link in our eco systems to help maintain our forests with seed distribution and flower pollination.
 

Gloria IP Tung 14 Years old from Peoples Republic of China winner of the art awards with Robert Webb holding Sparky the Kiwi and Michael Wallenett from Bayer.	Robert Webb holding Sparky the Kiwi, surrounded by children who were art award winners at World Environmental Day.

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