A rare surge in New Zealand’s critically endangered kākāpō population has been driven by an unusual boom in native tree fruiting, with the species now exceeding 300 individuals for the first time in decades. Conservationists report a record number of chicks fledged this season, marking a significant milestone in efforts to revive the world’s heaviest parrot. The mass fruiting event appears to have provided a critical food source, enabling the birds to reproduce at unprecedented rates. With the total population now at its highest since recovery programs began, experts are studying whether this natural phenomenon could signal a turning point for the species.
Critically endangered New Zealand bird enjoys record breeding season triggered by mass fruiting of native tree, pushing its numbers to 325The population of the world’s heaviest parrot, the kākāpō, has surpassed 300 birds for the first time in 75 years, after a record breeding season triggered by the mass fruiting of a native New Zealand tree.Ninety chicks were officially added to the population of the critically endangered birds on 1 September, pushing the total to 325 – a record high since recovery efforts began. Continue reading...
