Why should we save the kakapo?

Answer 1

There are many conservation plans in place to help protect the kiwi, a small, defenceless, flightless bird of New Zealand. Two of the species are endangered, but action is being taken to prevent them moving closer to extinction, and to protect the three species still classified as "vulnerable".

The Kiwi Recovery Programme was initiated by the New Zealand government in 1991, and has been financially supported by the Bank of New Zealand and the Forest and Bird Society.

Research has been undertaken to learn more about the kiwi's needs and breeding habits. It is believed that 95% of young chicks do not survive past their first six months, and so captive breeding programmes have been established to improve the number of chicks. "Operation Nest Egg" involves the hatching of kiwi eggs in protected places such as Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Auckland Zoo or Native Bird Recovery Centre in Whangarei, and releasing the chicks when they are much older. This has increased the survival rate of chicks to as much as 85%. Also, the use of DNA testing has enabled people involved in breeding programmes to identify unrelated kiwi that would breed stronger chicks by minimising in-breeding.

In addition, there are kiwi sanctuaries at Coromandel, Tongariro Forest, Okarito, Haast and Whangarei.

Trust and protection plans include:

• Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust
• Rainbow Springs
• Moehau Environment Group
• Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust
• Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Trust

Answer 2

Kakapo are flightless parrots, particularly vulnerable to predators, and currently critically endangered. Their numbers have been decimated since first the Maori, then Europeans, settled in New Zealand. Settlement meant the birds were easily hunted, and exotic predatory species were introduced. However, efforts by various groups have gone a long way towards helping the kakapo and, while it is still critically endangered, its outlook is a bit more positive.

The birds are now protected by law, and to help preserve the species, the Kakapo Recovery Programme has been put into place. The Kakapo Recovery Programme is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) which, under the "Wildlife Act 1953", has responsibility for caring for native species.

Because of predation by cats, dogs, stoats and kiore (polynesian rats), the remaining birds have been moved to offshore islands Under the Kakapo Recovery Programme. In 2014, they are now found only on Anchor Island, Codfish Island (Whenua Hou) and Little Barrier Island (Hauturu). These islands are essentially made up of thick bushland which is closest to the kakapo native habitat.

In addition, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, a major conservation group in New Zealand, not only actively promotes and assists the Kakapo Recovery Programme, but it also administers funds via the Threatened Species Trust.

Then there is the influential company Rio Tinto Alcan New Zealand Limited (RTANZ) which has committed to helping save the kakapo by working in partnership with both the Department of Conservation and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society.

In 1995, there were only 51 kakapo left. Thanks to the Kakapo Recovery Programme, figures in 2013 had reached 131. There are full time staff permanently enduring the primitive, cold conditions of the islands in order to help protect and preserve the birds.

Answer 3

Kakapo are protected by law, and to help preserve the species, the Kakapo Recovery Programme has been put into place. The Kakapo Recovery Programme is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) which, under the "Wildlife Act 1953", has responsibility for caring for native species.

Because of predation by cats, dogs, stoats and kiore (polynesian rats), the remaining birds have been moved to offshore islands Under the Kakapo Recovery Programme. In 2014, they are now found only on Anchor Island, Codfish Island (Whenua Hou) and Little Barrier Island (Hauturu). These islands are essentially made up of thick bushland which is closest to the kakapo native habitat.

In addition, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, a major conservation group in New Zealand, not only actively promotes and assists the Kakapo Recovery Programme, but it also administers funds via the Threatened Species Trust.

Then there is the influential company Rio Tinto Alcan New Zealand Limited (RTANZ) which has committed to helping save the kakapo by working in partnership with both the Department of Conservation and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society.

In 1995, there were only 51 kakapo left. Thanks to the Kakapo Recovery Programme, figures in 2013 had reached 131. There are full time staff permanently enduring the primitive, cold conditions of the islands in order to help protect and preserve the birds.

Answer 4

All species are worthy of preserving in their native habitat. All species have a specific function within their niche, though this function is not always recognised by humans. In the case of the kakapo, it is a particularly unique bird for many reasons, and certainly worthy of preservation.

• It is the world's only flightless parrot.
• It is the world's only truly nocturnal parrot.
• It is owl-like in appearance, but has the beak and claws characteristic of parrots, not owls.
• It is critically endangered, with a population that hovers around 130, but which was as low as 65 a few decades ago.
• It is endemic to New Zealand, and now only found on three protected islands.
• It is the only parrot species in which the male has inflatable thoracic sacs - rather like those of a bullfrog - which enable it to make a booming mating call audible from several kilometres away.
• It is the only parrot that has a lek mating system.

Answer 5

Kakapo are flightless parrots, particularly vulnerable to predators, and currently critically endangered. Their numbers have been decimated since first the Maori, then Europeans, settled in New Zealand. Settlement meant the birds were easily hunted, and exotic predatory species were introduced. However, efforts by various groups have gone a long way towards helping the kakapo and, while it is still critically endangered, its outlook is a bit more positive.

The birds are now protected by law, and to help preserve the species, the Kakapo Recovery Programme has been put into place. The Kakapo Recovery Programme is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) which, under the "Wildlife Act 1953", has responsibility for caring for native species.

Because of predation by cats, dogs, stoats and kiore (polynesian rats), the remaining birds have been moved to offshore islands Under the Kakapo Recovery Programme. In 2014, they are now found only on Anchor Island, Codfish Island (Whenua Hou) and Little Barrier Island (Hauturu). These islands are essentially made up of thick bushland which is closest to the kakapo native habitat.

In addition, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, a major conservation group in New Zealand, not only actively promotes and assists the Kakapo Recovery Programme, but it also administers funds via the Threatened Species Trust.

Then there is the influential company Rio Tinto Alcan New Zealand Limited (RTANZ) which has committed to helping save the kakapo by working in partnership with both the Department of Conservation and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society.

In 1995, there were only 51 kakapo left. Thanks to the Kakapo Recovery Programme, figures in 2013 had reached 131. There are full time staff permanently enduring the primitive, cold conditions of the islands in order to help protect and preserve the birds.

Answer 6

nothing