(Nestor notabilis) Husbandry Manual - Kea Conservation Trust

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Attention: Maurice Alley/Brett Gartrell/Kerri Morgan
Room 8.28, Vet Tower, Massey University, Palmerston North.
A copy of the necropsy report must be sent to the Captive Management
Coordinator and DOC.
4.5.6 Quarantine procedures (Refer appendix 5 for Quarantine Procedures)
(adapted from Fraser, 2004)
Pre- or post-transfer quarantine is undertaken to minimise the risk of transferring
diseases between institutions or between an institution and the wild. Advice
should be sought from the DOC veterinarian (kmcinnes@doc.govt.nz) on the
tests recommended for each transfer.
A full quarantine period often needs to be undertaken by either the receiving OR
the sending institution, not both. The two institutions involved in the transfer
should discuss quarantine options and decide which facility will undertake to hold
the birds in quarantine. Commonly it is the sending institution that will do the
quarantine, but this can be reversed if the parties involved agree to it.
Results from laboratory analyses for internal parasites should be available from
the laboratory providing the analysis 24 hours after they received the sample.
Enteric screen results (Salmonella, Yersinia, Campylobacter) are normally
available after 48 hours, but further time is often needed to identify specific
strains. If the receiving institution is doing the quarantine the sending institution
must still ensure that the bird is fit for travel by getting an experienced veterinarian
to examine the bird prior to transfer.
A complete copy of a bird’s individual records must be sent by the holding
institution to the receiving institution - including any records from pre-transfer
quarantine and vet checks. An information sheet with a summary of the
individual’s specimen record should accompany the bird being transferred.
Facilities using ARKS software can use a modified specimen report while
institutions not using ARKS software should use a report such as the one shown
in Appendix 5. In addition, a current diet sheet and a list of observed personal
behavioural traits can be included with the animals’ information to help ensure
ease of transition to a new facility.
4.5.7 Handling/physical restraint
No one should handle kea without first having been trained and supervised by
someone experienced with handling the species. Although kea are a robust
species which do not stress easily, physical restraint of any bird species should
be done with care. Avian bones are less dense than mammalian species and are
easier to damage as a result.
Kea Conservation Trust Final 25/11/2010