List of kakapo

Female Kakapo "Pura" on Codfish Island.

Every known living kakapo, except some young chicks, has been given a name by Kakapo Recovery Programme officials. Many of the older birds were given English language names, but more recent chicks have been given Māori names. Some Kakapo, such as Richard Henry and Moorhouse, are named after people who have provided assistance to the preservation efforts.

Recent population changes

After a good breeding year in 2002, the population remained at 86 until 2004, when three two-year-old female Kakapo died from infections by the soil bacterium erysipelas.[1][2] Four chicks survived from the 2005 breeding season. The male Gunner died of aflatoxicosis during the New Zealand winter of 2005, bringing the population back to 86.[3] In April 2008, the population grew to 93[4] with the hatching of seven chicks,[5] then fell to 92 due to the death of adult Bill.[6] One of the seven 2008 chicks died soon after hatching,[7] bringing the total down to 91, and on 28 October 2008 male Lee died, bringing the population down to 90.[8] Male Rangi was re-discovered in February 2009 after spending 21 years living on Codfish Island.[9] In 2009 there was another good breeding season, with 33 chicks (20 male and 13 female) bringing the population up to 124.[10] A number of older birds died during 2010, followed by the significant loss of the only remaining Fiordland Kakapo, Richard Henry, announced during January 2011. His Fiordland genes survive through his three progeny.[11] A breeding season in 2011 produced 11 chicks (8 females, 3 male), which all survived, bringing the population to 131. However, the deaths of several birds followed and with no breeding season in 2012, the population is down to 124.[12] As of May 2014, with the hatching of six eggs (the first hatchings since 2011) the total population is 126[13] living individuals.

Living Kakapo (126[13])

Females (60)

Kakapo population development.

Males (66)

Sirocco on show at Auckland Zoo in September 2009

Recently deceased

Females

Males

Unknown

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Kakapo illness identified" (Press release). Biodiversity Information Online, New Zealand Government. 13 July 2004. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008.
  2. B. D. Gartrell; M. R. Alley; H. Mack; J. Donald; K. McInnes; and P. Jansen (2005). Erysipelas in the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus). Avian Pathology, 34 (5), 383–387. doi:10.1080/03079450500268583.
  3. Merton, D. (2005). Kakapo update 2005. PsittaScene, 17 (2), 7–9.
  4. "World kakapo population rises by five". NZ Herald. March 31, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  5. "Ranger's Diaries: All eggs hatched". Kakapo Recovery Programme. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Ranger's Diaries: More chicks, but we've lost our friend Bill". Kakapo Recovery Progr04-01. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Ranger's Diaries: Sadness at Easter". Kakapo Recovery Programme. 2008-03-24. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 "Spring has sprung!". Kakapo Recovery Programme. 2008-11-11. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Mussen, Deidre (5 March 2009). "Kakapo back to nest after 21 years". The Sunday Star-Times. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  10. AMY MILNE (2009-05-16). "Another chance to see kakapo". The Southland Times.
  11. DOC, Media release. "Kākāpō males ‘boom’ on as legendary bird dies". NZ Department of Conservation.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 "Home of the Kakapo Recovery Programme | Kakapo Recovery Programme". Kakaporecovery.org.nz. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  13. 13.0 13.1 "Kakapo Recovery". Kakapo Recovery Program. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 14.9 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 14.15 14.16 14.17 14.18 14.19 14.20 14.21 14.22 14.23 14.24 14.25 14.26 14.27 14.28 14.29 14.30 14.31 14.32 14.33 14.34 14.35 14.36 14.37 14.38 14.39 14.40 14.41 14.42 14.43 14.44 14.45 Kakapo Nesting Table retrieved June 29, 2010
  15. First adult female death in 19 years
  16. Old boy Sass farewelled. Retrieved June 29, 2010
  17. William Stolzenburg. Rat Island, 2011. See "Acknowledgements".
  18. Kakapo males ‘boom’ on as legendary bird dies Retrieved January 13th 2011

External links