How are the kiwis dying?

Answer 1

Kiwis are Flightless Birds, so they are very vulnerable to predators. They are shy and love to hide in places that are dark, plus it hides them from predators as well.

Sometimes Kiwis will decide to cross the road and then get run over by a car. Sometimes they eat the poison that humans leave out that was meant for a different animal and the most common reason for Kiwis dying are predators that eat them. That's why so little of them even reaches 1 year old

Answer 2

The kiwi population is suffering because of habitat loss, invasive species, and poisoning. Invasive species like dogs can easily kill kiwis because they cannot fly to safety. Other invasive species such as pigs take all of the kiwi's food. Pesticides like DTT can lower the success rate of hatching chicks. DTT is ingested by an adult bird who eats a poisoned object. When the bird lays an egg, the egg shells are thinner and thinner in each brood. Eventually the eggs are so thin that they are crushed.

Answer 3

Introduced animals are the greatest threat to the kiwi of New Zealand. Domestic dogs and cats, as well as exotic pets (and pests) such as stoats, rats and weasels, pose a huge danger to kiwi. Many kiwis are also killed every year by unregistered Pig-Hunting dogs (registration requires Kiwi Aversion training). Others may be killed by cars and other vehicles while crossing roads/highways.

Loss of habitat due to deforestation and destruction of large tracts of native bush is also hurting the kiwi. Not only does this threaten its food sources, but deforestation means the kiwi has fewer places to hide from its many predators. Prior to Europeans coming to New Zealand, the kiwi enjoyed a healthy population.