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Manukura was born on May 1, 2011, and the North Island Brown Kiwi should have been brown in color, but he was born with white features.
She had an extremely rare genetic trait carried by both parents, and the staff at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Center on Mt Bruce did not know about her color until she was born.
DoC Wairarapa Operations Manager Kathy Houkamau says Manukura will be missed.
“For the past 10 years, he has delighted crowds of people and, in his quiet way, highlighted the precarious situation of kiwi in nature.
“She was a fantastic ambassador for Pūkaha, kiwi, conservation and tourism in Wairarapa and we are all very sad that she passed away.”
His popularity was generated online with his own Facebook page, and stuffed toys, children’s books, and other memorabilia were created in his likeness.
Manukura was the first of three white kiwis to hatch on Pūkaha during the 2011-2012 breeding seasons.
Although they can exist in the wild, a white kiwi is considered so rare that seeing one in its natural habitat is highly unlikely.
Pūkaha General Manager Emily Court says that the rangers caring for Manukura noticed that he was losing weight and not eating earlier this month.
She was taken to Wildbase Hospital for treatment, and vets operated on her to remove an infertile egg that could not be removed naturally.
More surgery was required to remove her oviduct and most of her left ovary.
The surgeries reportedly went well but failed to save the kiwi, whose health continued to deteriorate.
Manukura died at 12:50 p.m. on December 27, 2020, in the presence of rangers and veterinary staff.
“Manukura is a very important part of the Pūkaha family and we have always felt very blessed to have Manukura to help us tell the Aotearoa conservation story,” Court said.
Famous Kiwi child author Joy Cowley wrote about kiwi in her book Manukura, the White Kiwi, after visiting her.
“I enjoyed making the connection between Manukura’s ‘specialty’ and the uniqueness of each child,” said Cowley.
Manukura’s younger brother Mapuna is part of the Pūkaha captive breeding program.
The Rangitāne elder, Mike Kawana, who named her, was there to perform prayers over the dead kiwi.
“Taiahaha! Mist flies over Pūkaha taiaha mountain! Manukura is also a spiritual treasure on Little Barrier Island in myths. From Ngāti Manuhiri, Rangitāne is crying, asleep next to the sleeping bird’s treasure.” .
“Rangitane is saddened by the news of Manukura’s passing, Rangitāne has always believed that she was a precious taonga and was privileged to have played a small role in her life, it has had a profound effect on the lives of so many people over the years that we are. Everyone is sure to join us in our grief, “Kawana said.
