Kiwi passes away at Massey Wildbase Hospital

Rāwhiti, a kiwi from the Wellington Zoo, was rushed to the Massey University Wildbase Hospital in Palmerston North after a fragment of wire in her stomach caused a infection. 

Keepers noticed Rāwhiti appeared unwell on July 24th after being off her food for several days, the Wellington Zoo said on social media.  

“She was taken to Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital for surgery, where it was discovered that the metal fragment had caused a severe infection that had already spread around her body.” 

The veterinary team decided to euthanise her on medical grounds, rather than subject her to a very risky and painful recovery with a low chance of survival. 

The team was unsure where the metal fragment came from, as many protocols are in place to make sure no foreign objects are in the habitat.  

Wildbase group leader Brett Gartrell told Massive that in 20+ years of operation the hospital had treated 523 kiwi, including 456 kiwi-nui (North Island brown kiwi), 44 rowi (Okarito brown kiwi), 13 tokoeka, 5 roa (greater spotted kiwi) and 5 little spotted kiwi. 

The hospital, situated on the Manawatu campus, treats some of the most vulnerable wildlife on the planet, including rare and endangered native birds, reptiles and bats from all over Aotearoa. 

“We see around 450 wildlife patients each year, of which approximately half are threatened or endangered species,” Gartrell said.  

The hospital is a charitable organisation that relies on donations to help us fund the work of caring for native species.

There are no living Kiwis currently living at the Wellington Zoo since Rāwhiti’s passing, as the battle against extension continues.