750 kiwi for Rainbow Springs’ Kiwi Encounter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15th October 2009

750 kiwi for Rainbow Springs’ Kiwi Encounter

There were celebrations for the Rainbow Springs team today as the 750th kiwi chick arrived. This special kiwi is part of the BNZ Operation Nest Egg Save the Kiwi programme and hatched at 3.40pm on the 15th of October 2009. The kiwi hails from the Maungataniwha region and is yet to be named. He (or she) weighed in at 399.9g.

This milestone joins a long list of achievements for the conservation focussed business and demonstrates Rainbow Springs’ commitment to the highest level in conservation and environmental practices.

Significant gains have been made at Kiwi Encounter since its opening in 2004. It is now sponsored by the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust and is the largest centre of its type in the country, the only one being purpose built and open to the public.

While the kiwi husbandry team are at the beginning of their busy 2009/10 kiwi season they have their eyes on the significant milestone of 1000 kiwi hatches, which should happen next season. This will be a stunning achievement for this small and dedicated team of staff and volunteers. It could not have been possible without the help of Rainbow Springs’ long-term commitment, major sponsors, volunteers and of course the expert staff who work extraordinarily hard for our nations bird.

Kiwi Husbandry Manager, Ms Claire Travers said today; “When I first started working here 10 years ago, we hatched 12 kiwi in one season – that was really amazing. Never did I dream that we would end up hatching 750 chicks in total and over 130 chicks a season! I am thrilled to be a part of the BNZ Save the kiwi Operation Nest Egg programme and to be part of such a dedicated team of People”

About Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park
Rainbow Springs Nature Park in Rotorua is uniquely New Zealand. It is a 76 year old award winning "attraction" with strong conservation values. Rainbow Springs has been hugely successful with breeding programs for kiwi and other endangered NZ birds and animals. The Kiwi Encounter facility was opened in 2004 and is now the largest Operation Nest Egg facility in New Zealand and the only one open to the public and purpose built.
The park includes over 1.5km of easy walking track in natural bush surroundings, spring fed pools house numerous trout, and native and introduced animals are cared for by a dedicated team. In the past few years, here are just a few of the examples of Rainbow Springs’ achievements in the area of conservation and sustainable business practices:-

• Supreme Business Award winner, 2006 Westpac Business Awards.
• Redevelopment work in the park 2007/08 which included new walk through aviaries and a large organic vegetable garden.
• First Rotorua business to be Green Globe Accredited in 2008.
• Qualmark Enviro Gold accreditation, 2008.
• Winners of the DOC Conservation in Action Award 2009.

ENDS

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