Poppy

KIWI HATCHING JOYBy Poppy

Recently Auckland Zoo staff were overjoyed to witness the hatching of two kiwi chicks. The Zoo was excited to receive four North island brown kiwi eggs. Unfortunately one of the unhatched kiwis died, but the other three remaining kiwis lived. The mother of the kiwi that died and one of the living kiwis was from the zoo’s Nest Egg Bird programme. One of the staff was happy to see the next generation of eggs coming through. The four stages of kiwis at Auckland zoo are: egg, TLC, breeder, bush (or enclosure).When kiwis are hatched they look a bit pink and their feathers are long and stringy. When they’re in the TLC or breeder they look cute. When they’re in the bush they look amazing.In the wild, kiwi eggs are eaten by pigs, rats, stoats, possums, wild cats and other pests. It’s good that the zoo can keep them away from these dangers.I’m really pleased that the kiwis have hatched. I hope that one day they’ll have eggs of their own.