The ancient, flightless Kakapo is the world's rarest and strangest parrot. It the only flightless and nocturnal parrot, as well as being the heaviest in the world, weighing up to 3.5 kilograms (8 lbs). The birds live in New Zealand, an island country which had virtually no mammals living on it for millions of years. It was a place inhabited by birds and reptiles. The only types of mammal were two species of bats. The Kakapo did not learn the defense mechanisms to combat or escape mammalian predators. This made the parrot very vulnerable when new animals started showing up. The arrival of Polynesian peoples thousands of years ago, of Europeans in the 1800's, and ultimately the pets and livestock they brought with them resulted in the massive decline of Kakapo populations from hundreds of thousands to a mere handful of birds.

Once common throughout the three main islands of New Zealand, there are now approximately 62 Kakapo left. These remaining birds have been relocated to six predator free island habitats, where the birds are relatively safe and have been breeding!

How You Can Help!!!

Without help, the Kakapo could soon be extinct. You can help by supporting this unique bird and the habitats it occupies by making donations to the organizations listed below, or using your particular talents to raise awareness of the Kakapo's plight.

New Zealand Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation is responsible for direct work with the Kakapo, which includes fundraising, actual field work, various forms of research, and determining what humans can do to best assist the birds in recovering from the edge of extinction. You may send donations directly to the Kakapo Recovery Programme. Postal Address: The Kakapo Recovery Programme, P.O. Box 10-420, Wellington, New Zealand

Comalco

Comalco New Zealand is a member of the Threatened Species Trust Programme (TSTP), a partnership between the Department of Conservation, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society and the New Zealand Conservation Authority. Comalco New Zealand is sponsor of the Kakapo Recovery Programme. Comalco has been involved in the Kakapo Recovery Programme since 1990, and has provided more than $1 million to save the critically endangered parrot.

The sponsorship is linked to the promotion of can recycling, particularly in schools. Help recycle, and you help save the Kakapo. What a great deal!

Kakapo Rescue

A small organization dedicated to the survival of the Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus). Their purpose is to teach people of the plight of endangered species. Kakapo Rescue members are all non-paid volunteers.

Email:

Contact: Rebecca Dennet, President.