Kiwi are New Zealand's iconic flightless birds, critically threatened by introduced predators. Predator control programmes and island sanctuaries have halted decline in managed areas, but broader recovery depends on landscape-scale intervention.
Kiwi face welfare threats from both predator mortality and the extraordinary physiological demands of reproduction. Predator attacks by stoats and cats cause traumatic injuries and death — chicks are most vulnerable in their first months. Adult kiwi are also killed by dogs, including pet dogs whose owners allow them to roam freely. The egg-laying physiology of kiwi is remarkable and welfare-relevant — the enormous egg causes visible discomfort in late pregnancy, with females barely able to walk in the days before laying. Dogs trained for kiwi avoidance aversion (KAT — Kiwi Aversion Training) significantly reduce domestic dog predation. Captive management in "Kiwi Encounter" programmes involves careful handling protocols to minimise stress.