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