K2

Kiwi K2

K2 was hatched at the Bird Recovery Centre in approximately 1995, and suffered a splayed leg; this is a common problem with ratites in captivity (ostrich, emu & kiwi), and can occur in other birds. It occurs when the freshly hatched chick is kept on a slippery surface and their legs aren’t strong enough to come together and hold them up, but nowadays grippy mats are put in the brooder and it is uncommon. K2’s leg was twisted around so that his foot pointed backwards. He used to get around using his beak as a prop and dragging his bad leg along.

His parents were from Hodge’s Bush (same place as Iti; Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary), so his egg was probably an Operation Nest Egg deliberately taken for hatching and rearing, but could have been an abandoned egg that was rescued.

In 2002 he was sent to Auckland Zoo.

There were then discussions about what to do with him:

1. Leave him as he was
2. Euthanize him
3. Operate to turn his foot around so that he could be used in the breeding program.

Option 3 was chosen and the operation was carried out by a vets’ practice in Auckland (not the zoo vets). His leg bone was cut, rotated and plated with a plate normally used for dogs, but the screws worked loose, so they operated again and used a different sort of plate. Some money was provided by the Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery (now B of NZ Save the Kiwi) and I believe some money came from WDC.

He was returned to the Whangarei Kiwi House when he was recovered from the operation and physiotherapy was carried out first by Sue Bell, and other DOC staff, and then by Kevin.

On 29/11/06 he was flown to Willowbank, Christchurch, by Air New Zealand, to be paired with Hinemoa, who was to be transferred from Te Puia, Roturua, following the death of her previous mate. Unfortunately she died before she could be transferred. K2 is currently in an outside pen at Willowbank awaiting this year’s breeding and transfer recommendations.