The Kākāpō Recovery Team are gearing up for the approaching summer, and an anticipated huge breeding season.
There are only 149 kākāpō remaining. Kākāpō Recovery combines the efforts of scientists, rangers, volunteers and donors to protect the critically endangered kākāpō.
The regular kākāpō recovery work includes tracking with radio telemetry, putting out supplementary food and monitoring for pests. During breeding seasons, kākāpō nests are monitored and managed and occasionally the chicks are hand-reared.
Adult kākāpō are solitary and reclusive. The Recovery Team handle them at least once a year for a health check and transmitter change. The rest of the time, they are left to live as naturally as possible.
The rangers are midway through giving every one of the less than 150 Kākāpō their annual health check and lots of planning is underway. In September, the international superstar Sirocco the Kākāpō will be making another public appearance at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin for a few weeks, giving kākāpō fans the rare opportunity to meet one of these birds face to face. One of Quadrant2Design’s stands will be travelling with him, to be displayed in the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre.
