Media release

26 November 2013

Wellington Zoo caring for ZEALANDIA Kiwi Chick

Wellington Zoo is caring for a Little Spotted Kiwi chick from ZEALANDIA, which was admitted to The Nest Te Kōhanga last week for treatment.

”This bird was observed on the ZEALANDIA perimeter fence line during the day, which is very unusual for kiwi. He’s also very underweight, which indicates that he may not have adapted well to foraging,“ explained Dr Lisa Argilla, Veterinary Sciences Manager.

”I’ve been involved with a few similar cases where the birds just needed a bit of a kick-start to learn how to forage. Hopefully this is all that is wrong with this kid!”

Erring on the side of caution, the chick received a full health check under general anaesthetic in The Nest Te Kōhanga on arrival, including blood tests, x-rays, and an eye examination.

The Little Spotted Kiwi is the smallest kiwi species, and has become extinct on the mainland. They are vulnerable to stoats and are classified by the Department of Conservation as ‘at risk: recovering’. The total number of birds is thought to be just over 1500, with the majority living on Kapiti Island. Little Spotted Kiwi are also now found on several other predator-free offshore islands, and at ZEALANDIA.

“This kiwi is a symbol of the ongoing collaboration between ZEALANDIA and Wellington Zoo – one that is important in achieving our shared goals – to support the native species that call Wellington home and help them to thrive within the safety of our pest-free sanctuary,” explained Hilary Beaton, ZEALANDIA Chief Executive.

“The Zoo provides a free veterinary service for ZEALANDIA to send us sick or injured animals to care for at The Nest Te Kōhanga, and we use ZEALANDIA as a safe place to release native wildlife after treatment or as part of our breed-for-release programme,” said Dr Argilla.

”This is the third Little Spotted Kiwi we have admitted from ZEALANDIA in the last three years. We’ve also cared for Kaka, Kakariki, Kereru, Hihi, Saddlebacks, Tui, Bellbirds, Tuatara, a New Zealand Falcon, a Pied Shag, a Shining Cockatoo and a Maud Island Frog.”

The Nest Te Kōhanga opened in December 2009 and is Wellington Zoo's animal hospital and centre for native wildlife. Inside this state-of-the-art facility, our veterinary team have all the equipment they need to administer first-class animal care. All animal check-ups and operations between 10am – 4pm each day are on display to visitors, and the Zoo team provides expert step-by-step commentary on live procedures twice daily.

About Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo is New Zealand's first Zoo, established in 1906, and is Wellington’s oldest conservation organisation. Home to over 500 native and exotic animals, Wellington Zoo became a charitable trust in 2003.

Wellington Zoo became the world’s first carboNZero certified zoo in May 2013.

Wellington Zoo is an accredited member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

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