There’s been a baby boom among one of the world’s most endangered parrot species — and officials in New Zealand are squawking about it, reports BritPanorama.
A record 90 chicks have been added to the count of the endangered kakapo parrot, bringing the population to a record 325 birds, the New Zealand Conservation Department announced on Tuesday.
The fledglings, bred this year, have reached a significant milestone, with the youngest now 150 days old, which marks the age at which they are considered independent and can be included in the population tally.
Every bird counts. The kakapo, which does not fly and has a waddling gait, is particularly vulnerable to ground predators. It is also the heaviest parrot species, with males weighing up to 9 pounds.
These bright green birds, known for their finely blotched yellow-green plumage and large gray beaks, are thought to be among the longest-living bird species, reportedly reaching ages of 60 to 90 years, according to the department’s statement.
Despite the positive trend, kakaos remain critically endangered. “There is still a long road of recovery ahead, but ninety chicks in a single season is a record. In the early years of recovery, it took 16 years to produce that many chicks,” stated Deidre Vercoe, manager of the department’s kakapo recovery operations.
Vercoe further remarked, “We had a four-year gap between breeding seasons, so it’s fantastic to finally see the population increase. It’s also a significant milestone for the species, as the last time the population is thought to have exceeded 300 birds may have been as long as 75 years ago.”
The Kakapo Recovery Programme, initiated in 1995 with only 51 birds—20 of which were females—has now seen 13 breeding seasons. Recovery efforts have focused on addressing challenges associated with low genetic diversity, such as infertility and poor hatching success. This successful breeding season underscores the critical need to create more predator-free habitats for the species.
Each kakapo involved in the programme is fitted with a small backpack radio transmitter to assist in tracking its location and monitoring its activity levels, according to conservationists.
