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.

Manuiti

Kiwi MANUITI

HATCHED: Auckland Zoo, 29/10/1998
Hand Reared

PARENTS: Both held at Auckland Zoo.
Both were wild Northland birds and came via the Whangarei Bird Recovery, but I haven’t been able to find out the circumstances. One came from Tangitororia and I know that area was cleared by roller-crushing; some birds were rescued and translocated, so it may have been one of those, or an egg that was rescued. The other parent is recorded as coming from Sim Gibb’s. I have read somewhere that Sim Gibb was an early kiwi conservation worker and from what I remember he was in the Far North, he did some hatching and rescue, but I don’t think he was DOC; unfortunately I can’t remember where I saw that.

TRANSFERRED TO LIMESTONE ISLAND: 11/3/2002 to pair with Baldrick (a female!)

ARRIVED WHANGAREI KIWI HOUSE: 25/11/2003 in very poor condition having been beaten up by other kiwi on the island.

Baldrick has been paired with another kiwi, Glen, and they have gone on to breed successfully.

April 2006 Transferred from the outdoor pen into the nocturnal house.

Iti

Hatched 4/1/06

At Hodge’s Bush, a small study site on private land NW of Kamo (part of the Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary). Father, Joshua, has been studied for 10-12 years.

Iti had been transmittered since hatching and had been closely monitored with 2 weekly checks alternating position only and full weight & measurement check.

Found 18/12/06 with a broken mandible by Paul Cornille of DOC. After an initial assessment by the vet she was sent to Massey University Wildlife Ward. She has 19mm missing from her bottom beak, and although her top beak was broken, it has repaired very bent. Fortunately her nostrils and the sensors at the tip of her top beak are alright.

She spent about 3 weeks at the Massey University Wildlife Ward before being flown back up to Whangarei and coming to the Kiwi House. She arrived at Whangarei Kiwi House on 10/1/07.

Hand-feeding her was a messy and time-consuming process, but after some experimentation with different food containers, she is now feeding herself really well.

She has recovered all the weight she had lost and has continued to increase. She will now stay in captivity and, as she is coping so well, will join the breeding programme.

We are still waiting to hear from the National Coordinators whether we can pair Iti with one of our males.

Ngahuru

Hatch date 22/4/2000. Captive bred at Auckland Zoo (both parents were captive at the zoo).

Transferred to Wellington Zoo 5/3/2001

Transferred back to Auckland Zoo 15/11/2004.

Had been DNA sexed as a female when a chick.

Paired up with a male in June 2005.

In June 2006 DNA retest on the basis of no nesting behaviour and Ngahuru’s short beak and light weight confirmed Ngahuru as male!

Transferred here 5/3/2007, doing well and calling at night

Kakama kiwi

Updates occasionally appear on the Pukaha Mt. Bruce website

Kakama update

Latest from the Mt Bruce ranger 6/6/07 (Colorado was released at the same time, but is also male):

“Hiya folks

We had a transmitter change on both Colorado and Kakama last week - they haven't gone that far from the release site - only about 800m south and they have climbed to near the top of a short spur and are occasionally found on the main ridge right behind the National Wildlife Centre. They have stayed close to each other since the release, occasionally even in the same burrow!

Colorado weighs in at 1940g (60 above release weight) and is in good condition

Kakama weighs 1650g (140 up on release weight) and is also in good condition.

Next check on transmitters is due in November, so I'll be able to give you a further update then.

Ka kite Tony “