Staff at Auckland Zoo were excited to witness the hatching of two North island brown kiwi chicks from four eggs they received, though sadly one egg did not hatch successfully. The mother of one chick and another living chick were part of the zoo's Nest Egg Bird programme. Kiwis progress through four stages at the zoo - egg, caretaking, breeding, and enclosure - and while still developing, the hatched chicks were pink with long feathers. In the wild, kiwi eggs face many predators, so the zoo provides protection for the endangered birds.

1. KIWI HATCHING JOY
By Poppy

2. 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.