A pic of a hand-raised kakapo chick during 2009...some need a helping hand until they're ready to be released into the wild
Time for an awwwww moment methinks...a kakapo (unsure who) getting some health checking attention...
*sigh*...so what will we do now, without a kakapo breeding season? How about we celebrate the 125 birds we are so lucky to have...
This is the new, improved version (his manners, that, is) of our ambassador bird and Kakapo Recovery star Sirocco...
Another fantistic image from the collection of the late Don Merton - 2002 breeding season on Codfish Island: Mother and two chicks :)
From the 2002 breeding season: Can you imagine having a toddler with feet this big...?
Here's an example of more 'cunning' from the world of Kakapo Recovery...this special feeding station - named 'the lunchbox' - has been designed specifically for crusty bum-prone Rakiura. Once she's used to feeding from it a microchip-operated cat flap will be installed so she's the only one who can use it...just another measure to ensure no other birds are sharing her feeding station and, potentially, being exposed to the crusty bum bug...
A new week, so time for a new "awwwww" pic don't you agree?
Awwwwww...hand-reared chicks from the record 2009 breeding season (36 chicks hatched, 33 survived to fledgling)...
The most crucial elements of the recovery of kakapo together - Don Merton holds Richard Henry. They both passed away within months of each other - Richard Henry (unknown age) 24/12/2010 and Don 10/04/2011 aged 72...(Photo: ranger Errol)
It's almost Christmas and time for a summer break! Our rangers, of course, are on the islands ensuring everything is ready for breeding - if it happens. I'll be popping onto this page from time to time but won't be back in the office until January 7. On behalf of the Kakapo Recovery team, I'd like to wish you all a happy and safe Christmas, New Year and Holiday season...and share this pic to tide you all over...:) Regards, Karen
Here's a pic of Pura and a classic example of how those claws are used :)
To be avoided at all cost...
Tracking the elusive kakapo sounds like lots of fun doesn't it? But as the pic shows, they're seldom found in places convenient for our rangers...
Okay,okay,okay...it's got nothing to do with kakapo (and is more about yours truly showing off about being in Wellington the day of The Hobbit premiere) - but here's another thing you'll never see anywhere other than New Zealand...(suspended from the ceiling at Wellington Airport)
Kakapo - another gem from the collection of the late Don Merton (taken 2002)
Here's a simple (and cheap) way to spread the Kakapo Recovery message: we've got bookmarks and stickers for sale! Shipping is free but if you want to help us out a wee donation is another option ;) To get your piece of Kakapo Recovery click on our "Shop Now" button (beside the number of likes) or try here: https://lish.com/s/4fk5/kakaporecoverymerchandise
Look at this! This is Kakapo Recovery programme manager Deidre Vercoe and, in her hand, is her formal government invitation to meet with Prince Charles!! Yep, she was one of about 25 "conservation champions" who attended a swish formal event at New Zealand Government House last week. She got to chat with the prince, tell him about kakapo, and remind him of his father's visit to Stewart Island in 1990, after which a kakapo was named Piripi, after Prince Phillip :)
Still finding some real gems among the late Don Merton's photo collection 1974-1998, including this one:
Codfish Island is only one of two islands in NZ that are beyond the swimming range of rats and stoats - the other is Little Barrier Island and both are predator free. This pic shows some dead rats beside a kakapo egg...again from the late Don Merton's photo collection
Have you got your New Zealand made, 100% merino wool Kakapo Recovery beanie yet?? Light, warm and durable, they're a great gift plus ALL proceeds go to Kakapo Recovery! Click on the "shop now" button on this page to order yours for Christmas :)
Kakapo Recovery is supported by many people in lots of different ways. Here's a pic of our ranger Jo L (left) receiving organic flaxseed oil from Kim and Prue at Holistic Health, in Invercargill. They supply it free to us every year - organic flaxseed oil provides a light coating on supplementary food pellets fed to breeding female kakapo. The flaxseed oil improves the n-3 fatty acid balance to ensure fertility and embryo death is not compromised.
Note the Kakapo Recovery supporters certificate they have framed on the shop wall...
www.holistichealthinvercargill.co.nz
Here's a fabulous pic of a kakapo chick with its plumage just starting to come through - another gem from the collection of kakapo champion (the late) Don Merton 1974-98
Today it's a big shout out to all Kakapo Recovery supporters in Canada, especially Maria Petryk (10) from Calgary! Check out the delightful letter the team received in the mail (including a cheque for NZD$200)!! Way to go Maria! :)
Have you ever seen such an awesome line up?? This photo is of some chicks from the 2008 breeding season...
Eighteen. Yep, that's the number of chicks such as these pictured, we could possibly have during the upcoming breeding season! Of course, the final number will be determined by how much rimu fruit is around, whether we get "good" mating matches, egg fertility and chick survival. But then that's what our Kakapo Recovery mission is all about: working against - and beating - the odds!
Image: Darren Scott
