The North Island brown kiwi was hatched in May 2011 at Pūkaha, with a rare genetic trait that led to white feathers instead of the standard brown.
Manukura was seen as a ‘great blessing’ by the local Rangitāne o Wairarapa tribe, who regarded her as a unifying symbol, according to the wildlife center’s statement.
She even inspired a book by Joy Cowley, one of New Zealand’s most prolific children’s fiction writers, as well as a series of soft toys and other memorabilia.
“Over the past ten years, she has delighted crowds and in her own quiet way shone a spotlight on the plight of kiwi in the wild,” said Kathy Houkamau, operations manager of the conservation department, Wairarapa. hatched. “She will be greatly missed.”
Manukura was taken to specialist veterinarians in early December after her caregivers noticed she was not eating and losing weight, the statement said.
Veterinarians found an unfertilized egg that the kiwi could not lay. Although the operation to remove it was successful, she needed more operations, and her health continued to deteriorate in the weeks that followed.
“Manukura is very much part of the Pūkaha family and we have always felt so blessed that we had to help Manukura tell the Aotearoa Conservation Story,” said Emily Court, general manager of Pūkaha, saying: ‘one of the saddest days ‘experienced the game center. Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand.
While white kiwis occur in the wild, they are considered so rare that it is highly unlikely to see one in its natural habitat.
According to the Department of Conservation in New Zealand, there are about 68,000 kiwis left – and 2% of the unmanaged kiwis are lost annually. 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.