Kiwi chick lost despite vet's dash

FOCUS: Adrian Evans, South Wairarapa Vets, and Jess Flamy, Pukaha Mount Bruce, discuss x-rays of a kiwi egg.

A wildlife sanctuary says it is grateful for a mercy dash by South Wairarapa vets to help an unhatched kiwi chick.

Veterinarian Adrian Evans drove to Pukaha Mt Bruce with a portable x-ray machine and was able to show the chick was in the wrong position in the egg.

Sadly, the chick did not survive, but general manager Helen Tickner said they were glad of the vet's prompt assistance.

Kiwi ranger Jess Flamy had concerns about how a kiwi chick was positioned in its egg but didn't want to transfer the egg to Wildbase Hospital in Palmerston North. It would be too difficult to ensure its temperature would be kept at the right level so close to hatching.

A call was made to Dr Evans at South Wairarapa Vets.

The x-ray confirmed that the chick was in the wrong position for it to be able to hatch by itself. Despite assistance from staff, it did not survive.

"Having the x-ray available meant that we could confirm our suspicions quickly and easily, and make an attempt to assist it to hatch," said general manager Helen Tickner.

"However, this little kiwi chick had a number of problems, which meant it would never have survived outside of the shell and, sadly, we haven't had the outcome we would have hoped for.

"But a big thank you to South Wairarapa Vets for their mercy dash at such short notice."

Dr Evans said it was the first time he had x-rayed a kiwi egg.

"Usually these machines are used in our equine division.

"But it was great to be able to help out the team at Pukaha and we're really pleased that we could be of assistance," he said.