Powell, OH – A third kiwi hatched on the Columbus Zoo and
Aquarium on Jul. 17, 2011 marking the first time an institution
in North America has successfully hatched three kiwi in one
year. The Columbus Zoo’s first hatching of the North Island
brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) occurred less than four months ago
on Mar. 23, 2011 and the second hatched on Jun. 25, 2011. “The
Columbus Zoo’s animal care programs have many Centers of
Excellence representing diverse species from around the world”
said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Dale Schmidt.
“Due to the hard work and dedication of our expert staff, we are
proud to add kiwi to that list.” Only seven kiwis, including the
three chicks at the Columbus Zoo, have hatched in the past five
years in North America. The Columbus Zoo is only the third zoo
in North America to successfully hatch a kiwi chick since the
first one hatched at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in 1975. The
newest chick, a female, is currently being cared for behind-the-
scenes. The first two chick