A record breeding season has increased the population of the endangered kākāpō

The population of the critically endangered Kakapo, the world's only flightless, nocturnal parrot, has reached its highest level in 75 years, with 325 individuals recorded as of September 1. This marks the first time since the conservation program began that the number has surpassed 300, according to official records. The surge is attributed to an unprecedented breeding season driven by abundant fruit production from native New Zealand rimu trees. The increase was officially confirmed on September 1, with 90 new birds added to the population, bringing the total to 325. This represents the highest documented figure since the start of the recovery program. Deidre Vercoe, head of the Kakapo Recovery Operation at the Ministry for the Environment, noted that this is the first time the population has exceeded 300 since the early 1950s. She described the growth as “remarkable” after four years of stagnation. The Kakapo is unique among parrots for being flightless and active at night. Once widespread across New Zealand, their numbers drastically declined due to predation by introduced species such as cats and stoats. By the 20th century, the species had nearly been wiped out. In 1995, only 51 individuals remained, prompting the launch of a dedicated recovery program. Conservationists have faced challenges including low genetic diversity, infertility, and low hatching success rates. Today, there are three breeding populations, all living on predator-free islands near the South Island. Breeding cycles for the Kakapo are long and infrequent, occurring every two to four years. These cycles depend on the availability of fruit from the native rimu tree. This year’s breeding season saw an unusually high yield of rimu berries, which triggered increased mating activity and resulted in record numbers of offspring. Vercoe remarked that achieving this level of growth took 16 years in the early stages of the recovery effort. The Kakapo can weigh up to four kilograms and is believed to live between 60 and 80 years. It is known for its playful nature, and over 100,000 people watched live broadcasts during the breeding season, observing one female as she slept, ate, and cared for her nest and chicks. The birds exhibit unusual courtship rituals, with males gathering in communal areas called leks to attract females. They produce distinctive deep sounds from air sacs in their chests while sitting in self-excavated burrows. These calls can travel up to five kilometers and resemble the gentle vibration of a violin string. After mating, females lay one to four eggs and take complete responsibility for incubating them and raising the young for the next six months. Chicks gain feathers and become independent around 150 days old, at which point they are officially counted in the population tally. The youngest bird in the 2026 breeding season was a female named Awarua-A3, who hatched on March 30. Vercoe announced that the next breeding season is expected to occur as early as 2028. While the team will pause to celebrate this remarkable achievement, they are already looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The continued success of the Kakapo recovery program depends on sustained efforts to protect the species and ensure the health of its habitat.