Kakapo chicks making public appearance in city

Kakapo chicks that will be in Invercargill this Sunday! Image by Gideon ClimoA rare and special event is happening in Invercargill tomorrow.

The Department of Conservation kakapo recovery team is bringing six kakapo chicks to town for a public viewing at the Invercargill Workingmen's Club.

A recent public appearance in Nelson attracted more than 5000 people.

Department programme manager for outlying islands Pete McClelland said the team was expecting similar numbers to come to the Invercargill viewing, which could mean long queues.

The kakapo would be on display in a glass enclosure and only a couple of people would be allowed in it at a time to ensure the birds did not get overwhelmed, he said.

Cameras would be strictly prohibited.

While the chicks were well accustomed to people, if they started to show any signs of being distressed the department staff would immediately call off the viewing, Mr McClelland said.

The chicks were removed from their island sanctuary Whenua Hou-Codfish Island in April to hand-raise them in Nelson after the rimu fruit their mothers would usually feed them on did not ripen this year.

After the Invercargill viewing the birds would be flown to Whenua Hou, a predator-free island near Stewart Island.

Only 91 kakapo, including the chicks, remain.

The Kakapo Recovery Programme is a partnership between the Department of Conservation, Rio Tinto Alcan NZ Ltd and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society.

The viewing is at the Invercargill Workingmen's Club tomorrow, from 10am to 4pm.