The arrival of 11 new kakapo chicks this breeding season has been welcomed by Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson.
The new arrivals will boost the world population of the rare native parrot to 131 birds.
Ms Wilkinson yesterday visited Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, off Stewart Island, to see the success of the Kakapo Recovery team's work to secure the future of the unique flightless parrot.
The chicks - including potentially two conceived through ground-breaking artificial insemination techniques - have all hatched in the past few weeks.
Ms Wilkinson said the programme was an example of the benefits of partnerships between the Department of Conservation, corporate sponsors and the community.
"Our relationship with Rio Tinto Alcan and New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS), supported by Forest and Bird and dozens of dedicated volunteers, has seen the kakapo population more than double since the recovery programme was launched 21 years ago.
"During that time, our knowledge of and care for this endangered bird has increased and we are well on our way to achieving our goal of one day having a self-sustaining population."
Rio Tinto Alcan directly funded Kakapo Recovery staff training in new artificial insemination techniques, learned in Spain. These techniques have helped boost chick numbers by 20 percent this year.
NZPA
source: newshub archive
