Kakapo Parrot

[Karigan]

Here's a vid about them!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v5ViXUeofA]Kakapo - New Zealand - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Jari]

Thank you very much for so much information freelucky14!!!
I agree it's an amazing parrot.

Jari

 

[Nyck32]

This is an amazing bird, and I am so happy to see that there are people out there able to help this.amazing bird. There are lots os species lost.... most of which could have been prevented had we known better. Thanks for the amazing insite into the wonderful world of this amazing parrot!

 

[Darkfifi29]

Hi, being from NZ I can tell you that Kakapo and Kea will never be made available to private owners. We are not allowed to catch or keep native birds of any kind, even if they are killed by a car (Tui often do swoop in front of vehicles). People like traditional Maori weavers have to have a special Department of Conservation dispensation to take native bird's feathers to weave in to ceremonial cloaks. We have a very strict wildlife policies and jail terms are not uncommon for people trying to smuggle birds out of NZ or capture them within NZ for any reason. The Kakapo breeding programme is making giant leaps forward, as are many other endangered species such as the korimako and the kokako. Special predator-free offshore islands are used for reestablishing populations. NZ does have very tough rules for native birds, but the Kakapo is our crown jewel, and the conservationists and bird specialists are doing an amazing job.

 

[Labbie]

Kia ora and Hi from Dunedin New Zealand Kakapo (Māori: kākāpō, meaning night parrot are extremely rare fewer than 150. like most Kiwis, I have only ever seen them a couple of times in wild life sancturys. You have more chance of seeing a kiwi bird over here and you don't see them unless you know how to find them and where to look.

 

[PetoftheDay]

I am glad they are making progress. Of course they are endangered as much because of introduced predators - dogs and cats - that they had no natural defense for. They are ground dwellers, and from reports, not the brightest, but still interesting, and I hope enough genetic diversity is still present to keep the populations growing.

 

[Hayden1987]

Unfortunately native animals here in nz will always be property of the crown. You can apply for permits to keep kakariki and a handfull of other natives, but unfortunately kea have been phased out of the captive breeding schedules. And they are amazing birds!! I have been very lucky to have had worked with several keas over a period of 7 years and they are q huge handfull. Keeping them stimulated can be a major challenge. As for kakapo i havent had the pleasure but i know that one day i definitely will!!

 

[MarciaLove]

beautiful! I actually just watched a "Parrots of New Zealand" documentary ad there was a lot on them!

 

[MonicaMc]

I've seen some Kea's in captivity, and I do believe two of them were previously wild parrots. I don't know about the others. I did not interact with them, but they truly are gorgeous in person! I imagine they are difficult to keep caged! LOL

Kakapos now, maybe someday I'll get to see one (or more) in person!

 

[crimson]

lol, you reminded me of this! I saw this on youtube a few months ago.

YouTube - Shagged by a rare parrot - Last Chance To See - BBC Two

But in all seriousness, they really are fascinating parrots! I really hope their populations continue to recover!

ROFL!! I thought this video was hilarious, I saw it a few months back on here, and was going to post it as well, but you beat me to it

 

[Jayyj]

lol, you reminded me of this! I saw this on youtube a few months ago.

YouTube - Shagged by a rare parrot - Last Chance To See - BBC Two

But in all seriousness, they really are fascinating parrots! I really hope their populations continue to recover!

ROFL!! I thought this video was hilarious, I saw it a few months back on here, and was going to post it as well, but you beat me to it

For anyone who doesn't already know, this series (Last Chance To See) had a full episode focused on the kakapo. You can get the series on DVD and it's well worth seeing. There's also a book by Douglas Adams by the same title that has a chapter on the kakapo which is equally worth tracking down.

One of my favourite animals, and great that they seem to be making steady if slow progress toward securing the future of the species.