Endangered kakapo gets helping hand
21 Nov 2007
New Zealand's rare kakapo will get an injection of hope this summer with the first ever programme of artificial insemination.
The large nocturnal parrot that hops like a sparrow and growls like a dog, has been perilously close to extinction for the past 30 years.
The decision to try artificial insemination was made after the last breeding season two years ago was hampered by high levels of egg infertility. Only four kakapo chicks were born from 26 eggs laid on Whenua Hou / Codfish Island near Stewart Island, and 60 percent of eggs were infertile.
Kakapo nesting
Kakapo nest every few years and only when there is enough fruit on the trees.
The world's heaviest parrot, there are only 86 known birds. They all live on off-shore, predator-free island sanctuaries in the South Island.
The kakapo recovery team has placed high hopes on a male from the Fiordland region by the name of Richard Henry whose genes are particularly precious in improving genetic diversity.
Interbreeding with closely related mates has caused genetic deformities on Stewart Island so using sperm from Richard Henry and his two male offspring from outside the region ought to help.
Mating call
The male kakapo will start "booming" with their deep mating call in a few weeks time but first pairings should begin around late January when artificial insemination trials will begin.
Studies show female kakapo who mate more than once have a better chance of laying fertile eggs so artificial insemination will be trialled once birds have mated naturally.
An international artificial insemination expert Juan Blanco from Spain visited New Zealand in summer 2006/07 to train the kakapo team in sperm extraction and will return in early 2008 to assist with trials.
More information:
Bird conservation in New Zealand
Iconic New Zealand birds
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