Kiwi Probably Died Of Old Age

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 9

Kiwi Probably Died Of Old Age

IB|> ZALIA THOMAS} LONDON, November 16. “Busby,” the Man tell’s kiwi presented to the London Zoo, Regent’s Park, three years ago, by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, was found dead in its cage today. It is thought probable that it died of old age, but a full post-mortem will be carried out soon to find the precise cause of death.

In 1938 its 13,000-mile air trip from Auckland to London was followed with great interest along the route through Vancouver, Montreal and Amsterdam. Travelling in a specially prepared crate on which full instructions for its feeding were stencilled, and accompanied by a large can of earthworms—its main diet—it arrived in London safely, but spent the first few days in its new home sleeping off the effects of its long journey.'

When it finally woke it was given V.I.P. treatment. Mrs Nordmeyer was at Regent’s Park to officially hand over the kiwi, accompanied by a battery of press photographers. The kiwi is protected in New Zealand but if found injured it may be taken into captivity and nursed back to health. If, on recovery, it is considered that it would not survive in natural surroundings a suitable home is found for it.

"Busby” had lost the tip of one toe and it was for this reason that he was allowed to come to England. Known As Comic

Being nocturnal, the kiwi was on show for only 20 minutes each day but earned the reputation of being something of a comedian. During this 20 minutes he was fed with worms and shredded horsemeat which was buried in the ground for him to unearth.

Immediately he had finished eating his only aim was to get back into his “kennel.” As, however, the sliding doors were closed for this period “Busby” would keep jumping on to the top of his box to see if he could find admit-

tance that way. His antics caused great amusement amongst visitors. When at last his bedroom door was opened by his keeper, he would dash in and would soon be fast asleep. Another kiwi has recently been presented to the Edinburgh Zoo, but visitors to the Ostrich House at the London Zoo will miss “Busby,” in particular, the hundreds of children who came to see this flightless bird from the antipodes who showed such a marked indifference to his “public.”