Poisoned kaka back in the bush

ROBERT KITCHIN/ The Dominion Post

CURIOSITY NEARLY KILLED THE KAKA: Fit and well after suspected zinc poisoning.

ROBERT KITCHIN/ The Dominion Post

HOME AGAIN: Zealandia's Raewyn Empson and zoo vet Janelle Ward free the young kaka.

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A young kaka found paralysed and near death in a Wellington gutter has been nursed back to health and returned to the wild.

The gravely ill young female from Zealandia Karori Wildlife Sanctuary was found in a Kelburn gutter about a fortnight ago by two passers-by, who took her to a local vet.

The kaka was taken to the animal hospital at Wellington Zoo where she showed signs of neurological damage but no obvious injuries.

"From the clinical signs we suspected a heavy metal poisoning and she responded very well to our treatment," zoo vet Janelle Ward said.

Subsequent blood tests indicated raised zinc levels and it was assumed she had suffered zinc poisoning.

"Luckily, the X-rays showed she did not have any metal fragments in her intestinal tract."

The bird bounced back to full health and was freed in the 225-hectare sanctuary yesterday afternoon.

It is thought the kaka a native parrot that is fascinated with manmade objects became sick after munching on items such as galvanised iron, lead nails and lead flashings which are commonly found on roofs.

There is little that can be done to deter kaka from their chewing habit and other poisoning cases are expected.

Zealandia conservation manager Raewyn Empson said kaka were inquisitive and often travelled a long way from home.

"On one hand it's great, because people are starting to see them in parks and backyards all over Wellington, but venturing so far from the safety of our special fence can also get them into a bit of trouble.

"We're very grateful to the men who found her she wouldn't be alive today if they hadn't got her to the vet's on time."

Six birds that had been reared in captivity were freed in the sanctuary in 2002, and there are now about 100 kaka there. They had been unseen in the city since early last century.