The decline of kakapo Strigops habroptilus and attempts at conservation by translocation

Abstract

The kakapo Strigops habroptilus is a large, flightless, nocturnal parrot, endemic to New Zealand. Once abundant throughout New Zealand approximately 50 individuals now remain. In situ conservation of natural populations has proved impracticable, and recent conservation efforts have concentrated on establishing safe populations by translocating wild-caught kakapo to offshore islands without significant predators. The translocation method, developed to minimise transit time, was to attach radio-transmitters to free-living kakapo, recapture the radio-tagged birds for transfer when air transport was available and liberate them immediately upon arrival at the island. Between 1974 and 1992 65 kakapo were translocated to four of New Zealand's offshore islands (Maud, Little Barrier, Codfish, and Mana). Few, if any, kakapo now remain within their former range. Regular monitoring and intensive management of the translocated populations is being undertaken. Between 63 and 85% of translocated kakapo have survived but thus far productivity has been low, only two young having survived to independence.