Kākāpō population surges: parrot rebounds after decades
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Conservationists in New Zealand recorded 90 kākāpō chicks this year, raising the total population of the world’s heaviest parrot to 325 birds.
This is the first time the population has exceeded 300 in 75 years, marking a significant milestone in recovery efforts. Kākāpō, unique for being flightless and nocturnal, once thrived across New Zealand but nearly went extinct due to introduced predators like cats and stoats. A dedicated recovery program began in 1995 with only 51 birds.
The program has faced challenges with genetic diversity and breeding success, but a recent abundance of berries from native rimu trees triggered a record breeding season. Kākāpō only breed every two to four years when these trees produce a large harvest, making increases in population slow. This year’s success follows a four-year gap between breeding seasons and produced more chicks than had been seen in 16 years.
The birds are known to live 60 to 80 years and have unusual mating rituals involving male birds creating a booming sound to attract females. Conservationists are now preparing for the next potential breeding season in 2028, hoping to continue this positive trend.
