Kakapo Recovery

Kakapo have inhabited the South Pacific nation of New Zealand for thousands of years but, with the arrival of humans and introduced predators, their once abundant numbers rapidly declined.

By the 1970s only 18 kakapo were known to exist, all in remote Fiordland and all males. The species seemed doomed to extinction.

But in 1977, a population of male and female kakapo was discovered on Stewart Island, giving new hope for the survival of this special bird. Since then, a small team of dedicated staff from the Department of Conservation has worked tirelessly to protect, manage and grow the kakapo population in the wild.

They have been supported by volunteers from throughout New Zealand and, increasingly overseas, who provided extra support – by nest-minding and supplementary feeding – during the precious, but infrequent, breeding seasons.

Today, with fewer than 130 birds, kakapo breeding populations are on two predator-free island sanctuaries: Codfish Island (Whenua Hou), off Stewart Island and Anchor Island, in southwest Fiordland. Staff work year round ensuring the birds are safe, healthy and well fed.

The aim of Kakapo Recovery is to establish at least two managed populations of kakapo and another self-sustaining population, each with at least 50 breeding-age females, in protected habitats.

For more information go to: www.kakaporecovery.org.nz