Rare white balls of fluff

These beautiful babies have caused a big stir at the National Wildlife Centre, Pukaha Mount Bruce, north of Masterton.  The first white kiwi chick was hatched in May 2011, to be followed by a second one just a few weeks ago.  It is very rare for a white kiwi to hatch in captivity, and these chicks are even rarer as they are not albinos, but white, with  both parents carrying the white feather gene.  We joined the crowds watching as the younger chick was carried from it’s enclosure, carefully weighed, then fed.  What a beautiful ball of fluff it was, and the cameras were clicking (flashes off so not to startle the baby) as the crowds caught the first glimpse of the chick through the nursery windows. 

How cute is this

As only 10% of baby kiwis reach maturity in the wild, the National Wildlife Centre removes the eggs from nests at Pukaha Mt Bruce and places them in incubators.  TV monitors show show the progress on the incubation of the eggs in nursery.  The chicks take a staggering five days to release themselves from the shell. 

TV monitor showing incubator in the nursery

The rangers mix up a special diet of ground ox heart, banana, oatmeal and vegetables.  Quantities are carefully measured and adjusted as they rangers monitor the progress of each kiwi.  The youngsters love their special treats of fat juicy worms, grubs and bush berries.  As they prepare to be released into the surrounding forest the chicks are placed in an outdoor enclosure where they are able to forage naturally.  After all this excitement it was time for the baby to be placed back into his sleeping quarters and settle down for an after dinner nap.  There’s no doubt about it, it’s a tiring life being a famous baby.

Time for a nap

The North Island Brown Kiwi was re-introduced to the reserve after an 100 year absence.  The kiwi population is growing with the help of the kiwi nursery.   Unfortunately the rugged terrain does not allow for the erection of  predator proof fencing around the perimeter  and an intensive predator control programme is carried out.  All of the predators are introduced species such as “Stoats, Ferrets, All types of Rats, feral Cats, uncontrolled Dogs and Possums” just to name a few. It is a shame really as the Kiwi is our native bird and what we all like to be called and it is endangered and virtually extinct on the main islands.