WhatFinger


“The chick is special as it was hatched from a fresh egg and these eggs tend to have a hatch rate of less than 5%

Miracle Kiwi Chick Back Home Following Groundbreaking Surgery



Santa Monica, Calif., – A kiwi chick born at Queenstown’s Kiwi Birdlife Park just seven weeks ago has survived all the odds to be back home and fit after undergoing two rounds of surgery to correct a mal-positioned beak.

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The bird, which weighs just 594 grams, hit the headlines and stole the hearts of locals when it was born at the park on October 7 fully-assisted by staff. The yet-to-be-named chick underwent a fully-assisted hatch once park staff realized it wasn’t able to hatch itself as it was mal-positioned – similar to a breach birth in humans – as it had its foot caught over its head which meant that it was unable to kick free of its shell unaided. Once born, it was also apparent the chick had a misaligned beak which would hinder feeding and thus inhibit the growth and potential survival of the bird. Upon hearing of the young kiwi’s plight, the team at Massey University in Palmerston North offered to assist and suggested a new technique being developed by the veterinary surgeons at the university’s Wildbase Hospital. Kiwi Birdlife Park manager Nicole Kunzmann decided to send the chick, which is part of the park’s national breed-for-release program, for surgery. “The chick is special as it was hatched from a fresh egg and these eggs tend to have a hatch rate of less than 5%. The egg had to be incubated artificially from day one as the father wasn’t incubating it.” Led by Wildbase director Dr. Brett Gartrell, the team performed corrective surgery on the bill tip of the kiwi with great results. “This little chick is only the third bird to have this surgery and in some ways this was the most difficult to bring back into alignment, as the tip of the lower bill had not only deviated sideways like the end of a hockey stick, but had also begun to curl upwards,” said Dr. Gartrell. “It’s taken two very delicate surgeries to bring the bill tip back into alignment without damaging the sensitive blood and nerve supply that kiwi need to be able to sense food at the end of their bills.”

About Kiwi Birdlife Park

The Kiwi Birdlife Park is a family-owned breeding sanctuary in the heart of Queenstown. First opened in 1986, the five-acre park is made up of native bush and is focused on helping to save New Zealand’s amazing wildlife. Visitors can self-guide themselves around the park at their own pace or enjoy an audio tour, finding out all the facts of the animals along the way. Daily feeding and animal displays ensure visitors get up close and personal with the exhibits in an intimate environment. Some of the 30+ native animals and reptiles they exhibit and breed are the Brown Kiwi, Kea, Blue Duck, Weka and various breeds of Gecko.


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