The Department of Conservation (DOC) kakapo recovery team has carried out a world first – the successful artificial insemination of a wild bird population. Paternity tests confirmed artificial insemination (AI), assisted by international bird reproduction expert Dr Juan Blanco, produced two chicks from two different females this breeding season.
“This is a major break through for the recovery programme,” said kakapo recovery manager Deidre Vercoe.
“Infertility has been a big problem. Successful AI means we have a tool to improve fertility rates and minimize the loss of genetic diversity within the small but growing kakapo population.”

For more details: http://www.kakaporecovery.org.nz/index

RIP Sass Kakapo

And then there were 123......it is with deep regret and sadness that I pass on the news that Sass, one of our longest known living kakapo has gone to the big rimu tree in the sky. Sass was found in April 1980 on Stewart Island by Arab and the dog Mandy. He was named after "Bigfoot" Phil Thomson aka Sasquatch (hence Sas...s). Relocated to Codfish Island in July of 1987 along with Nora he was the first to be moved. While on Codfish he fathered six chicks, Robbie, Palmersan, Te Kingi, Blake, Kumi and Kuihi and he also has three grand-chicks through Kuihi. He lived in a great place out here on the island up on the East side looking back at his old home, jammed in with Jimmy, Lionel, Ben, Blades, and Nog to mention a few. They had some right old dust ups over bowls during the summers! The rangers tell me that one of the highlights of their days traipsing round the island was seeing him out feeding during the day at his hopper, he'd amble off into the scrub a bit waiting for them to move on so he could get back to his afternnon tea. They'll miss that. Unfortunately the last few years he hasn't been in the best of health and his condition and booming fell away, perhaps old age caught up with him? He'll be missed by all his kakapo and biped mates, rest in peace, buddy:)

Posted today by Sirocco Kakapoon his facebook page

More details at  Old Boy Sass Farewelled

Parrot Convention 2010 Website

Fantastic line up of international and local speakers have been announced for the NZ Parrot Convention to be held on the 9th - 11th April 2010.

We met Sirocco the Kakapo at Auckland Zoo during conservation week September 14th to 23rd 2009

The New Zealand Parrot Society's logo features a Kakapo, but members rarely get the chance to see one.

Sirocco, one of just 124 kakapo in the world, visited Auckland Zoo in celebration of Conservation Week (13 – 20 September 2009).

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet this extraordinary and charismatic bird, the world's largest and rarest parrot – found only in New Zealand, and today only surviving on a few southern sanctuary islands.

It's a great honour for the zoo to have 12-year-old male Sirocco visit – an advocate for his species who's become something of a conservation superstar! His visit was made possible thanks to our partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and its Southern Islands' Area kakapo team.

He is now back on Codfish Island. Catch up with him on his facebook blog at 

http://www.facebook.com/friends/?filter=afp&ref=tn#/profile.php?id=1104962903

Also you can see Sirocco on Last Chance To See where he gets funky with a cameraman. Parental Guidance may be needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T1vfsHYiKY