A rare species of kiwi has added one more to the population, after a hatching on Christmas Day at the West Coast Wildlife Centre.
Weighing in at just 316 grams, "Eggnog" is the 50th rowi kiwi to hatch at the centre this season, taking five days to hatch after 77 days incubating.
The centre has nine more kiwi eggs currently incubating and is expecting to hatch up to 65 this season.
Rowi are the rarest species of kiwi. They are only found in the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, near Franz Josef, and there are only 450 in the wild.
When little Eggnog is a bit bigger, he will be returned to the wild, but for now, he will be kept at the sanctuary to grow, so there is less risk of him being eaten by stoats.
In partnership with the Department of Conservation and Te Runanga o Makaawhio, the West Coast Wildlife Centre has now hatched 278 rowi kiwi chicks at the sanctuary.
Newshub.
