Seventh kākāpō chick dies from respiratory disease plaguing endangered species
Wednesday, 12 June 2019
A seventh kākāpō has died from the respiratory fungal disease aspergillosis which is plaguing the endangered species.
The 100-day-old chick underwent an operation on Tuesday to remove abscesses in the airway, but was too weak to survive.
Auckland Zoo's head of veterinary services Dr James Chatterton explained the treatment plan for Nora 1A - which involved multiple use of anaesthetics over the next two weeks - had a low chance of survival due to the severity of the disease.
Chatterton told Stuff the surgery was the 'last chance' for survival for the chick.
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'This was just the start of a very, very long road, unfortunately the disease was just too severe.'
In the days leading up to her operation, Nora 1A's carers noted a significant deterioration in the bird's health.
They performed 'emergency life-saving procedure' on her the days prior to reduce the size of the lump in her airways and prescribed additional medication.
'In the last few days her symptoms have deteriorated andshe sounds like she's choking to death,' Chatterton told RNZ.
He said losing their patient was very 'sad', but the staff are tasked with caring for so many other sick and injured patients, it's important for them to remain professional.
'At the time there was definitely an emotional response when a patient dies. We have to try and maintain some sort of professional distance if we can,' he told Stuff.
Department of Conservation biologist Dr Andrew Digby, who recently encouraged Kiwis to donate to the cause, said he was 'gutted' to hear of the bird's death.
He explained on social media that the vet hospital staff tried valiantly to save her.
The Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage told Stuff: 'Any time a kākāpō dies is sad for all of us.'
She praised the dedication and work of DOC and their efforts in recovering the 'toanga species'.
This year proved a successful breeding season for the species, but the seventh death is 'bitter sweet' for the staff at Auckland Zoo.
Sage explained, 'This year's bumper-breeding season has boosted the population of birds, and the kākāpō recovery team, led by DOC, are working hard to look after the chicks.'
There are currently 35 kākāpō in care around the country, which amounts to a fifth of the total population. Each requires several months of treatment before being returned to the wild.
At the moment, Auckland Zoo is caring for 17 kākāpō, 11 of which have confirmed respiratory diseases consistent with aspegillosis.
'Nora 1A is highly unlikely to be the last chick we lose to this disease,' they wrote on social media.
Staff at Auckland Zoo's Conservation Medicine department have been working around the clock to medicate the birds in care twice a day. But the disease could potentially prove fatal for all birds affected.
Chatterton said the future of these birds hangs in the balance, 'they could all die'.
'Obviously we're trying very hard for that not to be the case, but certainly with about 200 birds alive currently, every bird is valuable to the population, especially if we have another 10 or 20 sick or dying from this disease,' Chatterton told RNZ.
DOC is currently seeking New Zealanders' help to raise money for the endangered species.
Public donations are a major funding source for the department's conservation efforts, but the costs associated with treating and caring for affected birds are large.
'We need to pay for flights, blood tests, diagnostics and treatment,' Digby previously said.
Conservationist Dr Mike Dickison believes the Government needs to step in and provide financial aid.
'I am hoping some funding could be found… so that we're not just relying on the public donations to fix this.'
DOC was contacted for comment.