Exciting times in the #kakapo world as we roll out our new transmitter design, with much longer battery life and smarter #technology, thanks to the brilliant DOC Electronics Team. Here’s site lead Petrus with 5 year old Ako. #conservation#parrots 📸 Dani Whitaker
Although #kakapo are flightless, they spend a lot of time off the ground. They use their large wings and strong feet and bill to good effect when climbing, and are frequently found high in the forest canopy. #conservation#parrots
#kakapo relied upon camouflage to avoid predators (which were birds, now extinct), so they freeze when threatened. Here’s Cyndy, frozen mid-step while walking along a log. #conservation#parrots
#kakapo camouflage isn’t too shabby. This is Cyndy today, not even trying: completely in the open, about 50cm from the camera. Find out more about kākāpō in the latest episode of the “Sounds of Science” podcast: https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/podcast/#conservation#parrots
Female #kakapo Kuihi during a transmitter change and health check on Whenua Hou today. We currently change transmitters every 1 - 1.5 years, but a new design in final stages of testing will last much longer and be easier to fit. #conservation#parrots#fieldwork.
Catching up with #kakapo Tuterakipaua on Anchor earlier this week for a health and transmitter harness check. At 2 years old, he’s one of 53 juveniles still alive from 55 fledged in 2022 - a good survival rate. #conservation#parrots
Two #kakapo are on their way back south after repeatedly escaping from Maungatautari fenced sanctuary. We’re working hard to understand how and why the kākāpō are getting out, and how to stop them! This week we’ll be testing new tracking tech. #conservation 📸 Dani Whitaker
We’ve removed 3 of the 10 #kakapo from Maungatautari to southern islands to reduce monitoring workload after Motupōhue escaped twice in quick succession. We’re committed to the trial at this new site, but with fewer birds for now. #conservation 📷: Peter Drury; Daniela Whitaker
And in other news: there’s one week left to adopt a #kakapo for delivery before Christmas. Adoptions close 10th Dec. It’s a great way to support #conservation of this critically endangered species. Thank you to everyone who’s helped so far! https://www.doc.govt.nz/adopt-a-kakapo
The #kakapo at Maungatautari are keeping us on our toes! Last week Manaaki was found outside of the fence and returned inside. We suspect he used a tree to jump the fence, so further tree trimming is underway and we’re closely monitoring all 10 birds in this new population. 📸 DOC. #conservation
Tonight there are now 10 #kakapo living wild in the North Island of #NZ - probably the most for over a century. We’ve just released six more at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari to add to the four transferred there in July. #conservation#returnofthekakapo#parrots
Our teams “enjoyed” some wild wintry weather yesterday to catch two #kakapo from each of the islands of Whenua Hou, Anchor and Te Kakahu. A big logistical challenge on the day, in partnership with Ngāi Tahu and supported by Meridian Energy. #conservation#returnofthekakapo
We’ve added adult male #kakapo (inc. Elwin) to the population in the hope that they’ll eventually start to “boom” (display) and provide training for the juveniles. It’ll take years before we can establish whether Maungatautari will be a suitable breeding site. #returnofthekakapo
There are only around 250 kākāpō left, and most of them have now had their genomes sequenced. Researchers has sequenced the genomes of 169 of the flightless New Zealand #parrots from both living individuals and stored samples. At the time, this represented nearly the entire kākāpō population—which is thankfully on the rise.
Watch 👇 this delightful pep-talk from a #kakapo named Steve — voiced by comedian Rhys Darby.
Last month we released #kakapo back onto mainland NZ for the first time in living memory. All four have just had a health check and are doing well. We’ll look to release more kākāpō to Maungatautari soon. Pic: Dani Whitaker #returnofthekakapo#parrots#conservation
Bunker was one of four juvenile male #kakapo released into Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain last week, in the first translocation to mainland NZ in living memory. We’ll monitor them closely in the coming weeks and months to ensure they settle in well. #conservation#returnofthekakapo