However, veterinarian Dr Christina Abramowicz called the Doc allegations "ridiculous" and said she would not give up her fight.
At the centre of the stoush is a 26-year-old South Island kākā, known as "Charlie Girl", who was transferred from Punanga Manu o Te Anau — Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, her home of 24 years, to the Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary earlier this year.
In a letter last week, Doc told Dr Abramowicz that staff had investigated the bird’s care and present condition and found nothing wrong.
Nevertheless, "alternative homes" were being sought for the bird and Doc was disappointed about the impact the move would have on its breed-for-release programme.
Charlie would not be moved to Te Anau, where there were no other kākā or a local vet with wildlife expertise, the letter said.
But the Dunedin City Council requested the move because staff at the aviary had been compromised by her recent "continual presence" and her voice and video camera was now "unsettling the bird".
"We request that you please immediately stop your surveillance activities that are causing distress to Charlie", the letter said.
"We are confident that Charlie’s welfare is sound and very well-supported by those involved with her care.
"While we appreciate that you are motivated to ensure Charlie’s welfare is maintained, your approach to this matter has not been constructive or in good faith."
The letter went on to say Doc would not engage with Dr Abramowicz any further on the matter.
South Island kākā breed-for-release programme manager Ash Murphy confirmed Doc was looking at options to move Charlie for the reasons outlined in the letter, which Dr Abramowicz had shared online.
"Moving her will mean she cannot foster eggs at Dunedin botanical gardens aviary and contribute to what is otherwise a very successful breed-to-release programme.
"Timing of any move, details of the new location and whether these will be made public are yet to be determined."
A council spokesman confirmed the council had requested the transfer of the kākā as a result of the concerns the letter outlined.
"As we have said previously, the Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary is an accredited operation with appropriately trained staff whose top priority is the welfare of all the birds in our care, and we have no concerns about the aviary operation."
Dr Abramowicz, who first met the kākā at Te Anau in 2004, said Charlie had a history of trauma, both physical and mental, but she had recovered because of the support, dedication and time spent by her carers in Te Anau.
In moving the bird from Te Anau, Doc had ignored her keepers, who had 34 years’ experience between them.
Doc had now spent the past two weeks dismissing her concerns about the bird’s care and condition, until it decided to "point the finger at me", Dr Abramowicz said.
"It’s distressing", she said.
"It’s frustrating. It’s unacceptable. And it’s ridiculous.
"I’ve had a positive, wonderful relationship with her, and they’re trying to say that I’m the driver of her distress.
"They won’t even own up to what they’ve done to her", Dr Abramowicz said.
"I will never stop speaking up for Charlie Girl.
"She deserves to be back in her home and thriving.
"She deserves to be treated like an individual and have her needs addressed and her welfare addressed and to be able to thrive."
