Not many birds live to the ripe old age of 100, but Auckland Zoo has been caring for one that may be even older than that.
Lee the kakapo has been suffering from lead poisoning, and was brought to Auckland, for treatment.
Auckland Zoo vet John Potter said the same bird was captured on Stewart Island about 25 years ago and he was atleast 30 years old then, and they estimate he could be 100 year old.
"We think probably Lee just happened on a pellet or two. They do like the taste of lead....it's got a sweet taste, and they'll often pick it up and put it in their mouth and swallow it,” Dr Potter said.
Lee is one of the original 24 male kakapo found on Stewart Island.
Today, the population has grown but there are still only 91 in existence.
With daily treatment Lee has recovered and will return to his home in the deep south.
But the zoo says lead is still a problem, and it blames hunters and fishermen.
“They've left lead pellets around, fishermen have left sinkers around, divers weights, ....all these sort of things could end up on islands. You'd be lucky to find probably an acre or 2 in NZ that doesn't have lead on it,”Dr Potter said.
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