A rare albatross left with one eye after an injury has been released at sea today with the help of Wellington's Maritime Police.
The toroa, also known as a northern royal albatross, was found near the airport two weeks ago with a deep injury to its left eye.
It underwent surgery at Wellington Zoo and had its injured eye removed before making a miraculous recovery.
"By the time you see a wild species that's able to be easily caught and handled, then you know that it's gravely ill," says veterinary nurse Sarah van Herpt.
Today it was shipped out to Cook Strait, where other albatross were seen feeding, and carefully lifted into the sea.
That was no easy feat, as the bird weighed more than 7kg and had a wing span of nearly 3m.
After a few minutes bobbing on the water and stretching its wings out, it took flight but stayed close to the police boat.
"It's keeping an eye on us I think. It'll just spend some time getting its bearings, drinking more if it needs to and preening more. Then when it feels comfortable it'll fly off," says Ms van Herpt.
It could head to Tairoa Head on the Otago Peninsula if it has a nest there, or to Chatham Island.
If it isn't breeding it'll likely stay out at sea hunting and feeding.
The toroa is the largest sea bird in the world and classified as nationally vulnerable, so Ms van Herpt says releasing it today was a collaborative effort for conservation.
Wellington's Maritime Police were only too happy to help, and will keep an eye out for the toroa when they're on patrol in Cook Strait.
With only one eye, it won't be hard to spot.
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