Kakapo breeding for first time in three years

Just 83 kakapo are left in the world.

Kakapo are breeding for the first time in three years, Conservation Minister Chris Carter said today.

Four kakapo on Whenua Hou island in Southland had recently laid eggs, he said.

Two birds - Flossey and Margaret-Marie - were each sitting on nests of three eggs. Another bird, Sue, had laid two eggs.

Another bird laid three eggs but Department of Conservation staff said these appeared to be infertile.

A bird called Zephyr had laid eggs every breeding season but had not yet mated.

"The last time kakapo bred was in 2002, so this is hugely significant for the kakapo recovery programme particularly after last year's tragic loss of three birds to disease," Mr Carter said.
Mr Carter said Department of Conservation staff believed that although it was early days there could be three chicks this year.

Only 40 per cent of kakapo eggs hatch, the minister said.

Just 83 kakapo are left in the world.

Kakapo are the world's biggest parrots, weighing up to 4kg. They are ground dwelling parrots that look like green owls. They are nocturnal and solitary, gathering only to breed. In the mating season, male kakapo swell up like porcupine fish and emit a low booming sound. They feed on seeds and nuts, and live long lives.

Mr Carter said in a statement there were 18 adult males and 21 adult females on Whenua Hou. Three males had mated with seven females.

To increase genetic diversity among kakapo, a male bird called Felix had joined juvenile birds on Te Kakahu while the last Fiordland bird, Richard Henry, went to Whenua Hou. Richard Henry -- who is believed to be at least 50 years old -- had yet to show signs of mating behaviour.

Kakapo Recovery Team leader Paul Jansen said the breeding season was late this year as a result of late fruiting of rimu and other plants.

It was unlikely the females would lay more than one clutch of eggs, and the record of 24 chicks in 2002 was unlikely to be repeated.

Kakapo also bred in 1991, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Between 1980 and 1991, when birds were breeding in the wild on Stewart Island, only three birds were produced.

DOC staff were searching for more eggs and waiting to check the fertility of the ones they had already found.

The three juvenile birds that died in July last year died as the result of a bacterium found in several other species of bird but recorded for the first time in kakapo.

The erysipelas bacterium was believed to have been spread by seabirds.

The surviving kakapo had been given antibiotics and vaccinations, and a permanent screening programme for the disease was now in place.

- NZPA