Kiwis to select mates

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32972, 19 July 1972, Page 3

Kiwis to select mates

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) WASHINGTON. July 18. The two kiwis given to the National Zoo in Washton by the New Zealand Government will not go on public view when they

arrive at the zoo this morning. Dr Theodore H. Reed, the director, said today that it was planned to give the male newcomers a chance to settle dow’n before placing them on show.

“We’re delighted to have them,” Dr Reed said. “We thought at first that the existing pair here were male and female, but this has proved not to be the case.” He added that a male and female pair would eventually be sent on to the Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, but the two new arvals would be given a chance to select their mates before the transfer took place. Dr Reed said the kiwis would be housed in a

special unit, insulated from the vibrations caused by people walking past. Special lighting was installed in the public cage to encourage the birds to sleep during the night and walk in public view during the flay. “They are sensitive to lighting, but especially so to noise,” said Dr Reed. “That is why we have gone to considerable trouble with insulation.” He said he was particularly upset about the death some weeks ago of the two tuataras in the zoo.

“We were proud of the arrangements we had for these — devices were installed to control the temperature and humidity, we had special sand placed in the cage, and artificial sand holes and nest built. But the machinery blew up, and the heat was too much for them.

“I hope it may be possible sometime for us to get another pair. They were a source of much pride here,” Dr Reed said.