For decades, it was believed that the only flightless parrot in the world was doomed to extinction. However, the kakapo, a nocturnal and solitary bird endemic to New Zealand, began to reverse that fate thanks to an ambitious conservation program.
Just thirty years ago, there were around 50 specimens left. Today, the population exceeds 200 individuals, a growth that, although fragile, marks a turning point in the history of this critically endangered species.
Moreover, a recent abundant harvest of rimu fruits triggered an unusual reproductive boost. Consequently, specialists expect a season with record birth numbers, which could further strengthen the recovery.
A unique and vulnerable species
The kakapo, whose scientific name is Strigops habroptilus, can weigh more than three kilograms and is the size of a small cat. Its face resembles that of an owl, and its green, yellow, and black plumage allows it to camouflage on the forest floor.
However, its inability to fly and its trusting behavior made it extremely vulnerable. Additionally, it emits a strong musky odor that makes it easy to detect by predators.
After humans arrived in New Zealand, the introduction of rats, dogs, cats, and stoats devastated the native birds. By 1974, it was feared that the kakapo had disappeared until new populations were found at the end of that decade.
Slow reproduction and biological challenges
The recovery of the species faces a central obstacle: its reproduction is infrequent. Females can go years or even decades without breeding, as the reproductive cycle depends on the mass fruiting of rimu trees.
This phenomenon occurs every two to four years and provides the necessary food for the chicks to survive. Thus, the availability of fruits directly conditions the reproductive success.
During courtship, males excavate bowls in the ground and emit deep sounds that resonate in the nocturnal forest. Then, females lay up to four eggs and raise their young alone, which increases the fragility of the process.
Intensive conservation on remote islands
Currently, kakapos inhabit three predator-free islands off the southern coast of New Zealand. There, each individual is monitored with transmitters and receives constant follow-up to protect the genetic diversity.
The work is coordinated by the Department of Conservation, which carefully manages the matings. Additionally, eggs are often exchanged for replicas while the real ones are incubated in controlled environments.
This meticulous intervention has allowed the population to quadruple in three decades. Therefore, the kakapo has become a symbol of environmental commitment in a country where birds occupy a central place in the national identity, alongside emblematic species like the kiwi.
