New Life for a National Icon: Kiwi Bird Hatched in Queenstown
Kiwi Park Queenstown is delighted to announce and celebrate a new arrival!
A baby kiwi hatched at our site on 26 March.
Why it Matters
This is the first successful hatching at our park for two years…
Importantly, this genetically distinct form of Brown Kiwi – an Eastern Provenance Brown Kiwi - is classified as conservation dependent. Making the event a significant contribution to conservation.
What Else
The breeding pair named Anzac (father, 8 years old) and Atawhai (Mother, 8 years old) are in great health.
Notably, the father kiwi completed the impressive 78 days of incubation and was present during the hatching.
This arrival is great for conservation advocacy as it will be on display until it is old enough to contribute to our breed and release program, ultimately being released into the wild.
What’s Next
The chick is being kept under close care and monitored by our team. Feather testing to ascertain sex will take place in the coming days.
Happily, the new arrival has been putting on weight – 176 grams at birth up to 304 grams by April 21 and is adding roughly 9 grams per day.
Beth Millican, Head of Wildlife, says: “We’ve lost some sleep to the excitement, but watching this breeding pair become first-time parents has been a joy. Special thanks to Emma Bean at the National Kiwi Hatchery for her dedicated support during this time.
Todd Jenkinson, Wildlife Curator, says – “The work the Wildlife Team here has achieved in managing the breeding pair for a successful full-term incubation is fantastic. We’re proud to contribute to the conservation work taking place across Aotearoa for this awesome species - including working with the Department of Conservation and Zoo and Aquarium Association, to whom we extend our thanks.”
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