Death by chocolate: a fatal problem for an inquisitive wild parrot.
METHODS
An adult male kea (Nestor notabilis) in good body condition was found dead at Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. The bird had previously been involved in behavioural tests of problem-solving ability.


RESULTS
The bird had substantial subcutaneous and abdominal reserves of fat. The crop contained 20 g of what appeared to be dark chocolate; a conservative estimate of the dose of methylxanthines ingested by the bird was 250 mg/kg theobromine, 20 mg/kg caffeine and 3 mg/kg theophylline. Histopathological examination revealed acute degenerative changes to hepatocytes, renal tubules, and cerebrocortical neurons.


METHODS
Acute combination methylxanthine toxicity after opportunistic ingestion of chocolate.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of the pathological findings of methylxanthine toxicity in a wild parrot, and illustrates the need to ensure that kea are protected from the toxic by-products of human habitation, and the difficulties in ensuring this against a neophilic, inquisitive and innovative parrot.
Gartrell
B D
BD
New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. b.gartrell@massey.ac.nz
Reid
C
C
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D002099:Cacao / Q000506:poisoning*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D008297:Male; D010311:Parrots; D013805:Theobromine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D014970:Xanthines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014970:Xanthines; C008514:methylxanthine; D002110:Caffeine; D013806:Theophylline; D013805:Theobromine