Tussock came to the Kārearea Falcon Trust from Kaikōura.

A local had found her in their chicken pen where she had sustained an injury to her right eye.

Upon arrival she was very underweight, stressed, and her eye was in a critical condition. During rehabilitation, she gained weight but unfortunately lost her right eye.

Once recovered, Tussock joined the breeding program and is currently paired with local male Norm.

Tussock and Norm have successfully raised 16 chicks together since 2016, all of these chicks have all been released to the wild.

Tussock was named as a reference to the coastal area in Kaikōura where she was rescued.

Tussock is not currently banded.

BRONZE - Bill & Margaret Gimblett, from Napier

SILVER - Hunter’s Wine Syndicate, Marlborough

GOLD - Marlborough Weekly (TSM),

If you would like to adopt Tussock - head to our Adopt a Falcon page