Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
A “pinch me moment,” is how Georgia describes her time caring for kākāpō!
Our latest veterinary resident, she spent two weeks on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, helping Department of Conservation's Kākāpō Recovery to check kākāpō nests and hand-rear young birds.
A total of 258 kākāpō eggs were laid across 80 nests this season – and it’s not always smooth sailing. Pearl-B3-2026 was the first kākāpō Georgia had the opportunity to help hand-rear. Prior to this, she had been monitored in the nest, where it was found she had developed a swelling on her face.
Unfortunately, this swelling got bigger over time and the three-week-old chick was taken to the DOC hut for monitoring and care. Georgia helped to hand-rear and medicate the chick for a few days, before the chick was helicoptered to the mainland for further veterinary treatment.
“It was so special to work alongside the Kākāpō Recovery team and use my veterinary skills to care for such a critically endangered species. This was a huge learning opportunity to work side by side with such experts in their field! They were intense days, but in the best way. I couldn’t think of anything more rewarding to be involved with.”
Read more about this amazing breeding season - aucklandzoo.co.nz/news/zoo-vets-head-to-remote-islands-to-care-for-kakapo.
A “pinch me moment,” is how Georgia describes her time caring for kākāpō!
Our latest veterinary resident, she spent two weeks on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, helping Department of Conservation's Kākāpō Recovery to check kākāpō nests and hand-rear young birds.
A total of 258 kākāpō eggs were laid across 80 nests this season – and it’s not always smooth sailing. Pearl-B3-2026 was the first kākāpō Georgia had the opportunity to help hand-rear. Prior to this, she had been monitored in the nest, where it was found she had developed a swelling on her face.
Unfortunately, this swelling got bigger over time and the three-week-old chick was taken to the DOC hut for monitoring and care. Georgia helped to hand-rear and medicate the chick for a few days, before the chick was helicoptered to the mainland for further veterinary treatment.
“It was so special to work alongside the Kākāpō Recovery team and use my veterinary skills to care for such a critically endangered species. This was a huge learning opportunity to work side by side with such experts in their field! They were intense days, but in the best way. I couldn’t think of anything more rewarding to be involved with.”
Read more about this amazing breeding season - aucklandzoo.co.nz/news/zoo-vets-head-to-remote-islands-to-care-for-kakapo.
