The brown kiwi from the North Island was hatched in Pūkaha in May 2011, with a rare genetic trait that led to white feathers instead of standard brown.
Manukura was seen as a “huge blessing” by the local Rangitāne o Wairarapa tribe, who saw it as a unifying symbol, according to the wildlife center statement.
She even inspired a book by Joy Cowley, one of New Zealand’s most prolific children’s fiction writers, as well as a line of soft and other memorable toys.
“Over the past 10 years, it has delighted a multitude of people and in its peaceful way has shone in the spotlight on the precarious situation of the kiwi in the wild,” said Kathy Houkamau, operations manager of the Wairarapa Conservation Department, who was the manager. center at Pūkaha when Manukura hatched. “She will miss him very much.”
Manukura was taken to specialist veterinarians in early December after her caregivers noticed that she was not eating or losing weight, the statement said.
Veterinarians found an unfertilized egg that the kiwi could not lay. Although their removal operation was successful, she needed more surgery, and her health continued to deteriorate in the weeks that followed.
“Manukura is part of the Pūkaha family and we have always felt so blessed that Manukura helps us tell the story of Aotearoa conservation,” said Emily Court, Pūkaha’s general manager, adding that it was “one of the saddest days.” “The center of wildlife experienced. Aotearoa is the name Māori for New Zealand.
While white kiwis exist in the wild, they are considered so rare that it is very unlikely to see one in its natural habitat.
According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, about 68,000 kiwis remain – and 2% of uncontrolled kiwis are lost each year. Threats include predators such as stoats, dogs, cats and ferrets.
Manukura is survived by her younger brother Mapuna, who is part of Pūkaha’s captive breeding program.