100th kiwi chick hatches at Pukaha

Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre in the Wairarapa is celebrating the hatch of its 100th kiwi chick since it started raising kiwi using the Operation Nest Egg technique in 2005.

Conservation manager Todd Jenkinson was thrilled to announce that a healthy, North Island brown kiwi chick had hatched — marking a significant milestone for Pukaha which is located just south of Eketahuna.

He also admitted the chick hatched earlier than expected.

“The egg had externally pipped, which is when the kiwi has broken through the shell, starting the full hatch process. We brought it in from the reserve and along with a second egg put them both straight into the brooder,” says Todd. “After that it took one more day for the first one to fully hatch.”

Todd explained that he and lead kiwi ranger Jess Flamy went into the Pukaha reserve on March 16 to retrieve two eggs from Kakama, a monitored male who lives in the wild. The duo expected these two eggs to hatch over the next three weeks but were surprised to discover one egg had already started hatching. The first egg hatched on March 18 while the second egg is expected to hatch a week before Easter.

Todd says being the 100th kiwi chick to hatch under Operation Nest Egg was significant.

“Operation Nest Egg is a process where eggs are retrieved from the wild and the kiwi hatch in protected areas with the assistance of trained staff,” he says.

“The survival rate of these kiwi is 65 per cent compared to 5 per cent if they hatch in the wild, so for us to have our 100th chick hatch here since September 2005 is something to be celebrated.”

Pukaha Mount Bruce will celebrate the milestone with a Kids Go Free day on Sunday, March 26 where the 100th kiwi chick will be on display briefly at noon while other activities will be organised. Pukaha general manager Helen Tickner says it will be a great way to thank everyone in the community who has supported the centre over the years.

“We’re looking forward to a week of celebrating all things kiwi from March 26-April 3.

“Our kiwi house will have a party atmosphere with lots of kiwi specific activities and we’ll also run a special Facebook competition with a kiwi night walk to be won,” says Helen.

“We’re rapt that we’ve reached this milestone but we know it wouldn’t have been possible without the long term support and assistance of all our supporters.

“We really want to share this unique and special occasion with everyone,” she says.