Caring for kākāpō affected with the disease cloacitis
Cloacitis is a debilitating disease that affects kākāpō – but the great news is we know how to treat it.
In this video we follow our veterinary services manager James Chatterton and other kaimahi as they care for previous kākāpō patients Bravo, Huarangi, Vori and Bunker.
Colloquially known as ‘crusty bum’, cloacitis causes painful scabbing of the bird’s cloaca – the area from which they excrete waste and female birds lay eggs. It was first observed in their populations just over twenty years ago and affects birds on their sanctuary islands of Whenua Hou and Anchor Island.
Our Zoo vet team is privileged to be able to support our wonderful partners at the Department of Conservation’s Kākāpō Recovery with veterinary care for these precious birds. With just 248 kākāpō in the world today, each bird has an important role to play in the future of their species.
Watch video Caring for kākāpō affected with the disease cloacitis online, duration hours minute second in high quality that is uploaded to the channel Auckland Zoo 16 March 2023. Share the link to the video on social media so that your subscribers and friends will also watch this video. This video clip has been viewed 5,775 times and liked it 176 visitors.
