Historic first: Three kea chicks hatch at Kiwi Park Queenstown
Kiwi Park has welcomed three healthy kea chicks, the first ever born at the wildlife sanctuary in its 40-year history. Hatched just over three weeks ago, the chicks represent a significant milestone for the Park's conservation advocacy programme, with kea breeding in captivity having been tightly restricted across the country over the past 35 years!
The chicks were born to Mamakau, a female kea who arrived at Kiwi Park just over two years ago and is approaching her 12th birthday. While the identity of the father remains unknown, both resident males have been observed allofeeding Mamakau as she cares for her young. Will you be team Aoraki or Cheeky?!
The three chicks will join the Park's existing flock of four kea, creating a seven-bird family group that encourages the natural social behaviours observed in the wild.
Kiwi Park's resident kea are part of an advocacy programme coordinated through the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA). Working closely with the Kea Conservation Trust and Kea Recovery Group, the Park provides a naturalistic alpine environment that supports the birds' welfare and encourages natural behaviours.
Advocacy populations play an important role in educating the public about endangered species and the challenges they face in the wild. Through initiatives such as the Kea Pledge, visitors are encouraged to help protect wild kea by avoiding feeding them, securing belongings and interacting responsibly with these highly intelligent mountain parrots.
"Breeding kea at Kiwi Park for the first time in our 40-year history is an incredibly proud moment. As someone who joined the park for the first time more than 27 years ago, it is a milestone I have long dreamed of achieving.
It is a credit to the Kiwi Park's commitment to kea and the outstanding work of our wildlife team. Kea are exceptional ambassadors, providing a unique opportunity to share their conservation story and inspire visitors to care about the challenges they face in the wild and how they can help". Todd Jenkinson, Wildlife Curator, Kiwi Park
The chicks are expected to begin exploring outside their nestbox in the up-coming weeks, when visitors may have the opportunity to see them in Kiwi Park's walk-through kea habitat.
The births mark another milestone in Kiwi Park's 40th anniversary year, following the successful hatching of a brown kiwi chick, Tuku Iho, earlier this year.
