Eight rare kiwi die of respiratory infection
Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication.
Introduction
Eight young rowi—the rarest species of kiwi—have died from respiratory tract infections. The kiwi were being treated for nematodes (a type of worm) in Wellington Zoo when they started to show signs of respiratory problems.Date: 30 September 2013
Eight young rowi—the rarest species of kiwi—have died from respiratory tract infections. The kiwi were being treated for nematodes (a type of worm) in Wellington Zoo when they started to show signs of respiratory problems.
Upon the first signs of the infection, vets at Wellington Zoo removed the birds from the bark they were being housed on, suspecting that this may have caused the reaction.
“This bark has regularly been used at the zoo to simulate a natural environment with no adverse effects. This is an extremely rare and unfortunate occurrence and has come as a great blow,” says Jo Macpherson, DOC’s Biodiversity Manager in Franz Josef.
“The respiratory tract infection was caused by the fungus Aspergillus spp. which is commonly found in the environment. It is thought that the birds’ weakened immunity from the nematodes made them susceptible to this. Aspergillosis is a very serious disease and causes severe damage to the lungs and air sacs in birds. It is also incredibly difficult to treat with a very low success rate.
“Obviously zoo and DOC staff are devastated by the loss of the birds. It is also a tragic loss for Kiwis for kiwi, who have supported the rowi programme and have been an integral player in the return of 200 rowi back to the wild.”
With fewer that 400 birds remaining, DOC has been working with Kiwis for kiwi to bring rowi back from the brink using BNZ Operation Nest Egg. Unmanaged, a tiny proportion of rowi survive to adulthood. Most (around 95 %) are killed by stoats. Using BNZ Operation Nest Egg, the number of birds to make it to adulthood rises from 2 to approximately 34 per year.
“These birds were removed from the wild as eggs in order to protect them while they grew big enough to defend themselves. They had been living on predator-free Motuara Island in the Marlborough Sounds,” said Jo Macpherson.
“The kiwi had been transferred from the island to facilities at Wellington Zoo and Massey University in September for specialist treatment. A further, unrelated death occurred at Massey University, for which the Department is awaiting autopsy results.”
The Nest Te Kōhanga, Wellington Zoo's animal hospital and centre for native wildlife, has been open since December 2009. In that time it has admitted over 1700 native animals, mostly from the wild but also from captive collections, requiring veterinary attention. Over 25 kiwi have been successfully treated since opening.
Late last week DOC rangers returned six healthy birds from Massey back to Motuara Island, leaving one bird still under observation at Wellington Zoo. The Department will be returning 18 rowi, currently on the island, to their last remaining natural home, in Ōkārito on the West Coast, in November.
Background information
Rowi
- Habitat loss and predation have pushed the last remaining rowi population back within 11,000 hectares of forest in Ōkārito, north-west of Franz Josef. Rowi were once abundant and widespread over much of the West Coast and south East Coast of the North Island.
- Found to be an entirely new species of kiwi in 1994 and given the name rowi, they are one of five species of kiwi.
- They are our most endangered kiwi species.
- Stoats are the major threat to rowi survival. Predation by stoats is the primary reason for the low survival of rowi chicks. Rowi chicks are particularly vulnerable until they reach 1 kg in weight. Stoats have been known to predate 95% of all young rowi chicks that hatch in Ōkārito forest.
Kiwis for KiwiTM is the trading name of The Kiwi Trust. It is a new independent trust, carrying on more than two decades of dedicated work by BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust, to help protect kiwi and the places they live. Thousands of New Zealanders have donated to this cause, with a vision to take kiwi from endangered to everywhere. Kiwis for kiwi raises and distributes funds to community, DOC and volunteer groups helping save kiwi throughout the country.
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Media advisors Lizzy Sutcliffe or Fiona Oliphant: +64 3 371 3743 or +64 27 470 1378