Kakapo Season 2010-2013

Chlidonias said:
So even on small islands criss-crossed by track systems and worked over by trained kakapo trackers and their dogs, kakapo can still remain completely hidden. Who knows how many kakapo could still be holding out on Stewart Island.
That bit about them not making further efforts to find Kakapo on Stewart Island is interesting- I guess it depends on funding or policy changes whether any more searches ever get made in future. It seems a bit strange given that there could still be a few (more) valuable females surviving there too. Presumably even if any surviving adults could manage to keep safe from predation on Stewart Island, it would be virtually impossible for them to raise any chicks there nowadays.
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Chlidonias said:
Richard Henry was caught in 1975 and also moved to Maud Island. In all, between 1974 and 1978 just eighteen kakapo, all male, were caught in Fiordland as well as two more in 1981. All were moved to Maud Island and none of them except Richard Henry survived. In 1986 and 1987 there were known to be about four male kakapo remaining in Fiordland but they proved impossible to catch and they were not seen alive again.
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Pertinax said:
I didn't realise 18 Kakapo had been translocated from Fiordland! In the book 'Quest for the Kakapo' which has a long and detailed chapter on the searches for and attempts to capture Fiordland birds during this period, particularly females for captive breeding, little mention is made of these birds, apart from a brief 'throwaway' sentence saying 18 birds had been 'found' by 1978. Though it does describe in detail the capture of the initial two Kakapo, 'Jack' & 'Jill' (who was another male obviously) and later also 'Richard Henry' Presumably 17 birds later lost was not something they wanted made public for posterity in a book! This seems to have been 'disguised' by not mentioning either their capture or movement to Maud Island. Though the capture and transfer of the two 1981 birds(Hugo & Mirkwood) is described as both were caught by hand.
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what I wrote above (in January) has been troubling me ever since. I had based it on what Alison Ballance wrote in her new kakapo book (believing that it would be the most accurate as the most recent work) but after looking through older sources and re-reading what Ballance wrote it is apparent what she wrote was unintentionally misleading/ambiguous. In 2006's A Celebration Of Kakapo (see post #58 of this thread) it was explicitly stated that "Only one of 18 kakapo found in Fiordland during 1974-1977 is known to have survived beyond 1987. Five were transferred to island refuges, of which only one, "Richard Henry", remains alive. None of the 13 males left in Fiordland survived beyond 1987."

So, confusion sorted :)
 
Chlidonias said:
Five were transferred to island refuges, of which only one, "Richard Henry", remains alive. None of the 13 males left in Fiordland survived beyond 1987."

So, confusion sorted :)
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Aah, right, that's more like it. So of 18 birds found ,only five were translocated to islands, and the other 13 left in the wild. That makes a lot more sense and the Kakapo book I quoted wasn't trying to hide any unpalatable facts.:)
 
Healthy kakapo chicks head home - environment | Stuff.co.nz
8 June 2011

After weeks of being hand-fed and having their every need tended to, seven young kakapo have been given the all-clear to fend for themselves.

The rare parrots were taken from the predator-free sanctuary Codfish Island (Whenua Hou), near Stewart Island, to Invercargill about seven weeks ago, but are now strong enough to return home.

Kakapo Recovery Programme leader Deidre Vercoe Scott said the seven chicks had all reached a healthy weight, between 1.3kg and 1.8kg.

"They've all done fantastic. Some initially had minor illnesses which is very normal, but they got over those very quickly."

Of the seven being hand-raised, one was flown to Wellington Zoo's animal hospital for emergency treatment. Nicknamed Solstice One as she was the first chick born to her mother, Solstice, she has made a full recovery.

Solstice One and the six other chicks were transferred back to Codfish Island last week.

Another four chicks which hatched this season were left on the island with their mothers.

They were all doing well too, Ms Vercoe Scott said from Invercargill, and some had already fledged from their mothers' nests. Hand-rearing chicks had proved to be incredibly successful in the past, and the recovery team expected the same results this year.

The hand-reared birds would spend a little while in a pen, where rangers could keep a close eye on them, before being left to roam free around the island.

Once chicks fledged, they would start wandering around the island looking for a patch of space to make their home.

"It might take several years for them to establish a territory or decide where they want to park themselves."

The 11 chicks boosted the kakapo population to 131 this year.
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Pertinax said:
The article doesn't give Richard Henry's location when he died. Any ideas?
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well it took a while but I finally have an answer to that. In the May 2011 Forest & Bird (issue 340) there is a short article about the death. The first paragraph includes the line "...the venerable Richard Henry, breathed his last breath, and was found resting peacefully on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island."

I can't vouch for its accuracy but I also don't have any reason to think it is a mistake. It would have been the most likely place for him to be after all.
 
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Well, it seems RH had been on all the 'Kakapo' Islands then (barring of course Stewart Island) as he had been on Maud, Little Barrier, the one in Fjiordland-Anchor? and finally Codfish.
 
a nice little story here
Generous US teen makes 'save the kakapo' call | Stuff.co.nz
17 June 2011

California teen Natalie Shaheen told her birthday guests she did not want gifts – instead she wanted to save the kakapo.

The 13-year-old, who has never been to New Zealand, has just sent the Conservation Department US$2610 (NZ$3209) to go towards saving the species, after she received the amount in lieu of gifts at her Bat Mitzvah celebrations when she turned 13 in March.

From her home in Los Angeles, she told The Dominion Post she had made the donation request to guests because "I know I have enough to keep me going for a while. I just thought it's better for someone who needs it to get the money."

Natalie's interest in kakapo stemmed from watching a video on rare birds bought for her by her mother.

"I love how big they are, and how they do their mating call. I find them fascinating, and there's so few left."

Natalie's mother, Nicole Yorkin, said she was not surprised by her daughter's decision to forgo Bat Mitzvah gifts.

Natalie set up a website for guests to access so they could learn more about the rare New Zealand parrot they were giving their money to.

"People didn't know what it was. They thought it was a poodle or something."

The family had an aviary in their garden where Natalie's eight pet birds were kept.

She was hoping to visit New Zealand one day and, although she knew the chances of seeing a kakapo were slim, she was still hopeful.

There are 131 kakapo living on the predator-free sanctuaries of Codfish and Anchor Islands.

Kakapo Recovery Programme leader Deidre Vercoe Scott said the team members were overwhelmed that a teenager could have so much passion and drive for a species on the other side of the world.

"It brought home we're saving kakapo not just for New Zealand, but they're really a global treasure. There's interest around the world."

The money sent from Natalie was a "substantial" amount for the Kakapo Recovery Programme, and could buy a few incubators, or essential radio tracking equipment. About $1 million is spent on kakapo conservation each year.
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Young kakapo make early break for freedom | Stuff.co.nz
15 July 2011

Kakapo rangers on Codfish Island had to deal with a jailbreak this week when three young birds escaped from custody.

Rakiura One, Flossie One and Flossie Two managed to climb out of their pen and make a run – or rather waddle – for the beach on Tuesday.

The three cheeky kakapo, hatched this year, have been weaned and are ready to be released onto Codfish Island. The stormy weather has kept them penned up, but it seems the young birds were eager to get on with their lives in the "wild".

"They should have been released last week," ranger Jo Ledington said.

"Due to the weather we can't release them ... we don't want to stress them out."

Kakapo have evolved to withstand harsh southern winters, but once released must find new roosts and adapt to their surroundings, which can be hard for rangers to manage in bad weather.

"It's all a bit new," Ledington said.

"It's safer to leave them in the pen."

New surroundings were clearly too much of a temptation for the trio, which got 50 metres away from the hut.

Fortunately they were fitted with transmitters, which made them easy to find.

Kakapo are known for ponderous movements, but are very good climbers, she said.

A further two birds are ready to be released, with three more soon to be old enough to join them.
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Not strictly related to the latest breeding season, but interesting (especially for those travelling to Wellington or Dunedin for the Rugby World Cup) nonetheless.

Frisky kakapo on tour for Rugby World Cup | Stuff.co.nz

Whether or not he likes rugby is unclear, but Sirocco the kakapo is going on tour for the Rugby World Cup.

The kakapo grabbed headlines around the world after being caught on camera getting frisky with zoologist Mark Cawardine's head.

Sirocco lives on the predator-free Codfish Island off Fiordland, but in September and October the Zealandia sanctuary in Karori, Wellington, will be his temporary home.

Wellingtonians and visitors to the capital will be able to see the endangered parrot as he will be on public display.

Last year, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson announced that Sirocco was being made the world's first "spokesbird for conservation".

There are 131 kakapo left in existence, and all are carefully monitored at the sanctuary Codfish and Anchor Islands.

Kakapo Recovery Programme manager Deidre Vercoe Scott said the team had been looking at new ways to raise awareness of their work to save the critically endangered birds.

"Given the small kakapo population is closely managed on offshore islands, it is really difficult to get a first hand appreciation for these unique birds".

"Sirocco was hand-reared alone as a chick and now seeks out human contact, so he provides a great opportunity to allow people to engage with these special parrots."

Deidre Vercoe Scott said given his international profile, it was also fitting that he would be ready to welcome visitors in time for the Rugby World Cup.

"I'm not really sure how much he loves rugby but Sirocco certainly likes the limelight."

Sirocco will be housed in a specially-built enclosure in native forest.

He will also spend part of the World Cup on display at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin.
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Chlidonias said:
on the Karori website here: 19/07/2011 Famous rare kakapo Sirocco to stay at Wellington?s ZEALANDIA

Price and details of the evening tours to see Sirocco in September and October "have yet to be confirmed" but one can assume they'll be fairly pricy (regular night tours at Karori are $76.50)
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Ouch, that is pretty pricy! And no chance of any decent photos. I guess this, and the RWC in general, should bring in some much needed funds for Zealandia. And Auckland Zoo should do quite well too, with their NZ precinct Te Wao Nui conveniently opening in September...:D
 
OK, I guess I'm visiting Wellington in October.......

:p

Hix
 
I thought you might. Just be aware that it might be difficult to find accommodation because of the World Cup so check the dates for which matches are in which cities, and book in advance.

It seems you may need to book the tickets to see Sirocco as well. See here, where you can register to be informed when tickets go on sale: http://www.visitzealandia.com/site/...akapo_at_zealandia_karori_sanctuary/home.aspx
 
Getting a bit upset now. I was intended to go to Wellington this October (actually for bird reasons) but unfortunately I had the cancel the trip. Seeing a Kakapo would have been a major major bonus.
 
I'm going to miss Sirocco too because I'll be in Indonesia in September and Western Australia in October
 
before Sirocco is in Wellington he will be at the Orokonui Sanctuary near Dunedin from 3 to 26 September, for anyone who's going to be down that way. The one-hour tour to see him will be $45.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Wildlife tours, bush & forest walks, bird watching, eco-tourism, Dunedin, Otago New Zealand
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - meet and learn all about the world’s rarest parrot when Sirocco kakapo visits Orokonui Ecosanctuary in September this year in his new role as advocate for The Department of Conservation (DOC) Kakapo Recovery Programme; a partnership between DOC, Rio Tinto Alcan and Forest and Bird, celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary and DOC’s Kakapo Team are joining forces to create a unique evening experience from September 03 – 26 so that people can “get up close and personal” with this ‘global media star’ and nocturnal national treasure – one of only 131 kakapo in the world.

“Sirocco is one very special native bird. Following his antic’s on BBC’s ‘Last Chance to See’ Documentary he’s become something of a YouTube superstar and built quite a following on Facebook” says Orokonui Marketing Manager, Ryan Craig. “We are very lucky to have Sirocco visit with us over the Rugby World Cup when Otago people and many visitors to Otago and Southland will get the opportunity to see him.” says Mr Craig.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary has successfully completed a rigorous and detailed application process and signed a Deed of Agreement with the Director General of Conservation including details around security, safety, comfort, husbandry, feeding, cleaning and enclosure specifications for hosting this avian VIP.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors to Orokonui Ecosanctuary a rare opportunity to see this extraordinary bird. Just 30 years ago the species was on the brink of extinction. We hope this opportunity to experience Sirocco will inspire everyone to play a part in kakapo recovery and in protecting all our unique native wildlife,” says Orokonui General Manager, Chris Baillie

Together with a one hour guided tour to meet Sirocco, the September 03 – 26 evening tours (between 6pm – 9pm) offer the opportunity to view screenings about kakapo and other native species that are being protected at Orokonui. There will also be an interpretive and interactive kakapo display, along with the chance to chat to Orokonui Staff (Guides, Rangers & Volunteers) involved in caring for kakapo and our other national treasures. From 5.30pm, there will also be great ‘forest food’ platters and beverage options available to purchase in the Ecosanctuary Café - Horopito Kitchen.

Tickets are limited to these evening tours and pre-purchasing of tickets is essential. Tickets (allocated for specific 1hr guided tour times) are $45 for adults, $22.50 for children (aged 4 – 15 years) or $112.50 for a family (2 adults, 3 children). To pre-purchase tickets phone the Orokonui Ecosanctuary p. +64 3 482 1755. For further details about Sirocco and Sirocco Tours at Orokonui or to book online visit Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Wildlife tours, bush & forest walks, bird watching, eco-tourism, Dunedin, Otago New Zealand

Come and find out about ways to “get involved” in conservation activities through Volunteering, Holiday Programmes and Orokonui Kiwi Ranger at the Ecosanctuary.
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the cost of seeing Sirocco at Zealandia still hasn't been announced, but here's another article:
Sirocco will blow you away - national | Stuff.co.nz
30 July 2011

When Sirocco is hungry, he is fed mandarins, tamarillos and macadamia nuts.

When he doesn't get the attention he wants he has been known to throw gumboots around in a fit. He constantly tries to mate with humans and refuses to live his life with other kakapo.

In September and October, just in time for the Rugby World Cup, the Zealandia sanctuary in Karori will be Sirocco's temporary home. He will also travel to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary near Dunedin from September 3 till 26.

The 14-year-old endangered parrot, who was hand-reared as a chick after a respiratory illness, has been chosen as a spokesbird for kakapo conservation. There are only 131 kakapo left in existence; they are carefully monitored at the sanctuary Codfish and Anchor islands off Fiordland.

When Sirocco travels, he often gets his own seat on the plane and needs a minder to go with him. His crate is either buckled on to a spare seat along with the other passengers or he is nestled into the cargo hold where he can get much-needed peace and quiet.

Not content with an ordinary life, Sirocco made a grab for fame a few years ago when he got frisky with zoologist Mark Carwardine's head on a 2009 BBC programme.

The internet clip has won him more than three million views and thus raised the profile of kakapo worldwide. Advances like this as well as his personality, which Kakapo Recovery Programme manager Deidre Vercoe Scott describes as demanding, curious and playful, have meant he is well-suited for stardom.

The BBC is not alone in falling victim to Sirocco. Ms Vercoe Scott says most kakapo males set up mating arenas in places likely to attract female birds, but Sirocco, who spends most of his time on Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds, likes to set up his arena in the place most likely to be populated by humans – the path from the hut to the toilet is his favourite spot.

From his vantage point he swoops down on unsuspecting people in the middle of the night and charms them with his mating attack. Such mating behaviour normally begins about November, so those visiting for the Rugby World Cup may be safe from Sirocco's less-than-subtle charms.

"He is really interactive. He first started turning up to the hut and we tried to ignore him so he would go off and be a normal kakapo," Ms Vercoe Scott says. "But he would turn up night after night. He would find our gumboots and toss them about and make a lot of noise. We realised ignoring him was not going to be an option."

During his time at Zealandia, Sirocco will have a special 400-square-metre enclosure built for him to roam in and a smaller space will also be provided so he can come down to meet his fans. The enclosure will feature clumps of trees and rest sites. A smaller pen will also be built where he can come down and interact with his fans.

A similar enclosure built for Sirocco on Ulva Island, near Stewart Island, cost between $5000 and $10,000, and Zealandia hopes the cost of this new enclosure will be covered by sponsorship.

In captivity, Sirocco's diet will have to be carefully managed by a team of kakapo experts. In addition to about 80 grams of commercial parrot pellets every day, he will also be fed about 100 grams each of kumara and apples which will be peeled, cored and staked above the ground to encourage foraging.

Sirocco also enjoys macadamia nuts and grapes as a special treat.

A variety of native vegetation from the sanctuary, about 60 litres a day, will have to be obtained for him to "browse". Sirocco also likes to snack on silverbeet, corn cobs, carrots, zucchini, mandarins, pears and tamarillos.

The variety and diversity of his diet may seem luxurious to most, but if it was not provided, Sirocco would lose weight, his beak would over-grow and he would become depressed and go on a hunger-strike. Organic fruit and vegetables can be fed to him whole with the skin on but everything else must be carefully washed, peeled and cored to avoid feeding him pesticide residue.

On Sirocco's Menu:

Snowberry fruit Rata leaves
Flower stems and fruit of cabbage trees
Fresh native fruit Silverbeet, corn cobs, carrots, zucchini, broccoli
Mandarins, pears, tamarillos
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
Flax, including unopened flax seed pods and base of central leaf stems
Rimu berries and bark from young tree branches
Manuka leaves and unripe seed capsules

Sirocco's life as a nocturnal ambassador:

Sleeps all day with minder checking on him Once the sun goes down, he will be weighed and checked
Three hours interacting with the public
Free time until the morning
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