WEE KIWI ANOTHER COLUMBUS ZOO FIRST

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has achieved another significant first with the successful hatching of a North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) on Mar. 23, 2011. The Columbus Zoo is only the third zoo in North America to successfully hatch a kiwi chick since the first one hatched at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in 1975 and this chick is only the fifth kiwi to successfully hatch in as many years. “The fact this egg successfully hatched is a testament to the amazing care and attention given by our staff in consultation with professional colleagues around the world“ said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Dale Schmidt. “Like an expectant parent, kiwi expert Kathy Brader from Smithsonian’s National Zoo rushed to Central Ohio to be here and assist our team with the newly hatched chick.“ Kiwis are flightless birds about the size of a domestic chicken and the egg, weighing as much as 20% of the female’s body weight, is the largest egg in relation to body size o