World’s Most Endangered Parrot Population Increasing
As recently as 1995, there were only 50 known Kakapo still surviving. Relentless hunting by humans, widespread forest clearing, and the introduction of dogs, cats, and rats nearly wiped these friendly, flightless birds off the planet.
Thanks to New Zealand’s Kakapo Recovery Programme’s intensive species management and successful breeding results, the Kakapo (Strigops habroptila) population has now increased to 124 birds.
The program requires intensive monitoring of wild adult birds on Codfish Island and Anchor Island - the only locations of the remaining Kakapo. Hand-raising of some of the chicks has also been necessary, and 17 Kakapo have been hand-raised and returned to the wild.
Kakapo Recovery Plan
The ultimate vision for the species is to have at least 150 adult females. Species management is guided by the Kakapo Recovery Plan to:
- Maximize recruitment in the kakapo population
- Minimize the loss of genetic diversity in the kakapo population
- Secure, restore or maintain sufficient habitat to accommodate the expected increase in the kakapo population
- Maintain public awareness and stakeholder support for kakapo conservation
- » See also: On the Brink of Extinction: Call to Close Cruel and Inhumane Tiger Farms
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Ironically, due a lack of predator-free islands, the continued successful breeding could present a problem in the future:
However, there is presently no large predator-free island capable of holding more than 100 kakapo, where the birds might be able to look after themselves. The lack of such a sanctuary could become an obstacle if kakapo breeding continues successfully. So, in the future, a suitable large island needs to be selected and cleared of introduced predators. Ultimately, a distant dream is to be able to reintroduce kakapo to the mainland.
About the Kakapo
Aside from the typical parrot “skraak” sound, the Kakapo is different from other parrots:
- Emits a distinctive smell, described as “musty” by some, “sweet” by others - so strong that it is detectable by humans. The smell is thought to have made them even easier prey for other mammals.
- Nocturnal
- Heaviest parrot in the world - males can weigh up 2.2 kg
- Possibly the longest-lived bird species in the world; the low adult mortality rate suggests a mean life expectancy of 90 years
- Flightless - although Kakapo have wings
- Only parrot that has a lek breeding system; that is, males gather for competitive display to attract females
- Although it “skraarks” loudly like other parrots, other calls sound like a braying donkey, a grunting or squealing pig, or a booming bittern. Kakapo also produce a nasal metallic noise called “chinging”
- Freezes when disturbed, keeping absolutely still, probably because when New Zealand’s only predators were avian, such as Haast’s eagle (Harpagornis moorei), there was no need for flight
And finally, I found this observation about the Kakapo to be especially charming:
Kakapo in the wild are remarkably friendly towards humans. Some early settlers kept kakapo as pets, finding them better company, more affectionate, funnier, sweeter smelling, and more intelligent than a cat or dog. Kakapo in the wild will climb up a person’s leg and arm to perch on the shoulder, and then provide hair preening and a gentle ear nibble.
Here’s to the Kakapo Recovery Programme!
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolagourlay/ / CC BY-ND 2.0
We’d never heard of these gorgeous little ‘people’. Here’s to a successful recovery from the
dreadfully negative human impact and much more public respect and knowledge.
[...] one of just 124 of his kind, appears eager to increase the population of his species - whether or not there’s another [...]