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Summary of Transcript:
Jez from Auckland Zoo’s Animal Experiences team speaks about the story of an Australasian harrier that was rescued due to lead poisoning. The harrier was found weak and with an eye injury, which was treated with specialized care at Auckland Zoo. The harrier had indications of lead poisoning, which was confirmed through blood tests, and was treated with chelation therapy. Jez explains that lead is a heavy metal that is toxic and harmful to animals and humans, and New Zealand has taken steps to reduce its presence in the environment. The harrier can’t go back to the wild, but she will become an ambassador bird to raise awareness about lead poisoning and wildlife rescue. Jez thanks people for their support and encourages them to continue to support Auckland Zoo.
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Summary of Description:
The article discusses a kāhu, an Australasian harrier, that was brought in with a serious injury to her right eye and was found to be weak due to lead poisoning. The vet team performed various tests to determine the cause of her condition and discovered she was permanently visually impaired in her right eye and had high levels of lead in her blood. The article highlights that many of New Zealand’s bird species are affected by lead poisoning, and the kāhu is now being used as an advocacy bird to educate visitors about the harmful effects of lead poisoning on wildlife.
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Arriving with a serious injury to her right eye, this kāhu, a majestic Australasian harrier, presented with general weakness – an all too common sign of lead poisoning in birds of prey. The Auckland Zoo vet team were immediately called into action to examine and treat this precious bird.
The first step was to perform a range of tests, including radiographs, endoscopy, blood tests and eye exams carried out by an external specialist. The results confirmed she was permanently visually impaired in her right eye and had dangerously high levels of lead in her blood.
Fortunately, the zoo’s vet team successfully treated her for lead poisoning, however, this success is rare for wild birds, so many of New Zealand’s bird species fall victim to the side effects of lead poisoning. This includes endemic birds like the kea and kākā who can easily come into contact with lead in their environment, such as buildings built before the 1990s containing materials like nail heads, roof flashings, and leaded paint, along with lead shot used by hunters, and weights used by fishermen.
Sadly, due to her permanent eye injury, the kāhu is unable to return to the wild. But in a silver lining, she has started a new chapter of her life as an advocacy bird – engaging with Auckland Zoo’s visitors and telling the story of the harmful effects of lead poisoning on New Zealand’s wildlife.
The kāhu’s story serves as a stark reminder to us all that we must be mindful of the products we use and discard in the environment, especially those containing lead. Auckland Zoo encourages all visitors to learn more about the impacts of lead poisoning on wildlife, and how they can make an impact in protecting the ecosystem.
If you want to learn more about lead poisoning and its impact on our wildlife, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/news/rescued-kahu-takes-flight-at-auckland-zoo. You can also visit Auckland Zoo’s latest wildlife exhibit “Manaaki Whenua – Nature’s Network” to get up close and personal with kea and kākā, as well as the many other endangered species who call New Zealand home.
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Source Description
Arriving with a serious injury to her right eye, this kāhu (Australasian harrier) also showed general weakness – a common sign of lead poisoning in birds of prey.
To determine the cause of the bird’s condition, our vet team performed a range of tests which included radiographs, endoscopy, blood tests and eye exams carried out by an external specialist. The results of these tests confirmed she was permanently visually impaired in her right eye and had high levels of lead in her blood.
Thankfully for this kāhu, our vet team were able to successfully treat her for lead poisoning – but this is an unlikely outcome for the majority of wild birds. Many of New Zealand’s bird species are affected by lead poisoning, such as our endemic kea and kākā. These birds are able to easily find lead in their environment – in buildings built prior to the 1990s, materials such as nail heads, roof flashings and leaded paint, as well as in lead shot used by hunters and weights used by fishermen.
Due to her permanent eye injury, she is unable to return to the wild, but has started an enriching new chapter of her life as an advocacy bird – engaging with our wonderful visitors and telling the story of the harmful effects of lead poisoning on New Zealand’s wildlife.
You can learn more about how lead poisoning impacts wildlife here – www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/news/rescued-kahu-takes-flight-at-auckland-zoo
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