Investigating Lead Exposure in an Urban Free-living Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) in Palmerston North, New Zealand

Authors: Griffiths B, Jolly M
Publication: Kokako, Volume 32, Issue Issue 1, pp 1-5, Dec 2025
Publisher: Wildlife Branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association

Animal type: Avian, Wildlife
Article class: Clinical Article

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Abstract:

wild adult tūī was presented to the Wildbase Hospital after being found on the roadside by a member of the public. Clinical signs included depressed mentation, left eye blepharospasm and periocular haematoma, an absent tail-flick reflex, and expectoration. Radiographs showed a generalised increase in coelomic radiodensity and separation of the cardio-hepatic silhouette. A measurement of 0.72 mg/L of lead was detected on blood-lead analysis. After three weeks of analgesia, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, fluids, and chelation therapy, the tūī’s clinical signs improved and blood-lead levels were decreased. The tūī was re-released after a total of 30 days in hospital and 10 days in rehabilitation.

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