100th Kiwi chick hatches
01 Mar 2007
The Kiwi Encounter centre in Rotorua has reached a milestone by hatching the 100th Kiwi chick for the 2006/2007 season.
The chick, named Irwin, broke out of his shell on 13 February 2007 to claim the title. Irwin was rescued from Taranaki as an egg and brought to the centre. He hatched weighing in at 376 grams.
'It is quite a feat for these small birds to hatch,' says Kiwi Husbandry Manager Claire Travers. 'They not only have to crack their own shell but also absorb the yolk sac which will nourish them for the next few days, until they are ready to take up their artificial diet.'
Irwin is currently on display in the brooder room within the nocturnal house. In approximately one month, he will be released into the outdoor run, before being released back to Taranaki as a juvenile chick. His care at Kiwi Encounter means he will have a greater chance of survival when released back into the wild.
Kiwi Encounter is part of the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust Operation Nest Egg Programme, a kiwi recovery programme. Eggs are retrieved from the bush and brought to Kiwi Encounter by Department of Conservation rangers for hatching and nursery care, before being released back into the wild.
Kiwi Encounter is New Zealand’s only purpose built working hatchery and nursery open to public as part of a guided tour. Kiwi Encounter hatches over 80% of the eggs annually hatched within this nationwide kiwi recovery programme. Nearly 300 chicks have hatched at the centre since April 2004.
Further information:
Rob Finlayson
Sales and Marketing Manager
Rainbow Springs Nature Park and Kiwi Encounter
Ph +64 7 350 0445
Mob +64 21 877 136
Email rob.finlayson@rainbowsprings.co.nz
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