New Chicks Push Kakapo Population Above 100

Tim GroserConservation Minister Tim Groser says the long running campaign to save the kakapo has reached a new milestone today with confirmation that the population of threatened birds has cracked through the 100 mark.

The Department of Conservation's Kakapo Recovery Team have been closely watching a handful of chicks born in the past few days on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island - the kakapo sanctuary off Stewart Island.

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Kakapo back to nest after 21 years

Sirocco the kakapo looks down on photographer Mike Bodie from his treetop perch. Photo: Department of ConservationA Momentous Waitangi Day on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island has seen a male kakapo rediscovered 21 years after vanishing and world-first artificial insemination using the sole surviving Fiordland kakapo.

Rangi's miraculous find by kakapo ranger Chris Birmingham boosts the critically endangered endemic parrot population to 91 and potentially adds important genetic diversity.

The flightless nocturnal bird was one of four male kakapo released on the 1400ha conservation sanctuary, near Stewart Island, in 1987 without a transmitter. He had not been seen since.

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Hatchings boost kakapo population

WELCOME TO THE WORLD: The first of two kakapo chicks to be born on Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) this year. One of the world's most endangered bird populations is on its way to reaching triple figures after the successful hatching of two chicks this week.

The latest additions born on the pest-free reserve Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) near Stewart Island bring the small population of kakapo to 93 and climbing.

More are expected to hatch in the coming weeks.

As well as the 25 confirmed fertile eggs yet to hatch, there are another eight still to be checked and seven more females ready to nest.

Kakapo recovery team leader Deidre Vercoe said the latest additions could be the descendants of Richard Henry, the only surviving kakapo from Fiordland.

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Kakapo population edging towards 100, may reach 120 in next few weeks

Kakapo population edging towards 100, may reach 120 in next few weeksKakapo population boosted by two, more chicks on the way

February 2009. The Kakapo Recovery effort is one step closer to bringing the world's kakapo population to 100 after the successful hatching of two kakapo chicks. The latest additions bring the small but increasing population to 93, and lots more chicks are expected in the coming weeks.

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Vet first to artificially inseminate a kakapo

Dr Juan Blanco Having become the first person to artificially inseminate a kakapo, Dr Juan Blanco believes our native parrot has been well looked after by Kiwis humans that is.

The Spanish vet has just spent 17 days on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island helping the Conservation Department with kakapo breeding.

Last month, Dr Blanco artificially inseminated a kakapo, making him the first person to successfully perform the procedure on a wild endemic, endangered bird.

Dr Blanco said the purpose was to ensure genetic diversity among kakapo on the island, where only two male birds were the dominant breeders.

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