Doc previously said it was looking for an alternative home for the 26-year-old South Island kākā known as "Charlie Girl", after the Dunedin City Council said it could not house the bird at its aviary and Doc rejected calls to return the bird to Punanga Manu o Te Anau — Te Anau Bird Sanctuary where it previously lived for 24 years.
Yesterday, Doc fauna science manager Ash Murphy said the department was working with wildlife husbandry experts at the Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary and an avian specialist veterinarian at the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital on a new plan for the bird.
The new approach was a result of an independent assessment by Massey University animal welfare science Prof Ngaio Beausoleil, who recommended Charlie remained at the Dunedin aviary "to provide stability and allow her to adapt to her new environment".
Charlie would be kept in Dunedin with her enclosure mate "Bling", Dr Murphy said.
"Any changes made to Charlie’s care, including training activities, will be recorded and her behaviour closely monitored to gauge whether she’s responding positively.
"Her diet, eating habits and weight will also continue to be monitored.
"We encourage the public to give Charlie the time she needs to settle in, bond with her mate and enjoy her life at the Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary."
In a statement, Doc said Prof Beausoleil found the bird to be in good physical health and well cared for.
There was "appropriate management of her chronic arthritis from old injuries".
Abnormal repetitive behaviours exhibited by the bird, such as swaying and toe nibbling, had increased since her move to Dunedin, as she struggled to adapt to changes in her environment, it said.
"Charlie does not behave like a normal captive kākā because of ingrained behaviours she developed in her first year of captivity as a young bird in severely impoverished conditions, prior to her transfer to Te Anau Bird Sanctuary.
"When Charlie is stressed, these behaviours are amplified," the statement said.
A council spokesman said the concerns which prompted the council’s request for Charlie to be transferred had since been addressed.
"The independent assessment recommended by the Ministry of Primary Industries and commissioned by the Department of Conservation recommended Charlie the kākā remain at the Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary.
"We’re happy with this recommendation and we’re pleased the independent assessment has also noted Charlie is in good physical health and being well cared for by our staff."
Charlie was moved from Te Anau to Dunedin in June last year to join Doc’s captive breed-for-release programme.
The move sparked concern among her former carers, who said she began to show behaviours indicating she was highly stressed.
The veterinarian leading the campaign to return Charlie to Te Anau, Dr Christina Abramowicz, frustrated officials with her efforts.
The council said in September staff at the aviary had been compromised by her "continual presence".
Doc informed her the department had had enough of her campaign and would not engage with her any further.
Yesterday, Dr Abramowicz said the campaign team was disappointed Doc would not return Charlie to Te Anau.
She also said the independent assessment validated "the concerns that multiple veterinarians, including myself, [had] raised".
"The unfamiliar environment, close proximity of other kākā, disruption of familiar routines, a frustrated cage mate and other issues are all cited in Charlie’s welfare report."
