Mighty Dash - 1,500th kiwi chick's new name

Mighty Dash - 1,500th kiwi chick's new name

Rotorua, 2 February 2016: Kiwi chick lovers have spoken and Kiwi Encounter's milestone 1,500th kiwi chick now has a name.

Hundreds of suggested names for the chick have rolled in from around the country over the last couple of weeks since the chick hatched late on on Christmas Day at Kiwi Encounter, Rainbow Springs' kiwi hatchery.

Mighty Dash is the winning pick, recognising the chick's speedy 1 1/2 minute hatch and MD representing 1,500 in Roman numerals.

Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter Kiwi Husbandry Manager Claire Travers says, "The chick is doing well and is now in the outdoor run along with a couple of other chicks, Messiah and Flounder, for company.

"Mighty Dash is very lively and wriggly and not that happy about being held!"

Named by Nina (12) and Leo (10) Juby from Ohaupo, they love Rainbow Springs and are frequent visitors. The family is looking forward to visiting the chick for the first time soon.

Mighty Dash will be released back to the Tongariro National Park in a few months once he has reached around 1kg in weight and is strong enough to survive back in the wild.

Mighty Dash marks a significant achievement in kiwi conservation by the Kiwi Encounter team, its invaluable work is operated by a trust funded with donations from Ngai Tahu Tourism, sponsors and the public.

Rainbow Springs' involvement in kiwi conservation began in 1995 with the arrival of its first egg and the hatchery has grown over the years to become the largest kiwi hatching facility in New Zealand, successfully incubating and hatching brown kiwi eggs from around the North Island.

Kiwi Encounter's role in kiwi conservation is vital. Most kiwi chicks don't survive in the wild due to predators such as stoats, so DOC (Department of Conservation) staff lift the partially incubated eggs from their burrows and deliver them to Kiwi Encounter to incubate and hatch. Kiwi eggs take approximately 78 days to incubate, and slightly longer in the wild.

After hatching, the chicks are raised to a ‘stoat-proof’ weight of 1kg before being released back into the wild.

Kiwi Encounter also plays an important part in helping with kiwi research. The team is currently looking into making improvements to the artificial kiwi diet, lighting in nocturnal enclosures, the role of bacteria in egg shell contamination and coccidia (gut parasites) treatment trials.

Facts about Mighty Dash:

- D.O.H (date of hatch): 25th December @ 11.11pm

- The egg was 49 days old upon arrival at Rainbow Springs’ Kiwi Encounter

- The egg arrived at Rainbow Springs’ Kiwi Encounter on 26th November 2015

- The chick’s father is called Chance – and this is Chance’s first offspring to hatch at Rainbow Springs Kiwi Ecounter

To donate, or sponsor a kiwi, visit rainbowsprings.co.nz/donate

ENDS

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