Kākāpō Birth Notices

Kākāpō Birth Notices

From Kākāpō Files II by RNZ

March 23, 2026 · 30 min · Season 2 · Episode 13

About this episode

The episode discusses the recent births of kākāpō chicks and the challenges faced in their conservation.

DOC’s Kākāpō Recovery Programme is thrilled to announce the births of 101 kākāpō chicks, with a few more fertile eggs expected to hatch over the next few days. However, kākāpō conservation is a roller-coaster and seven chicks have died from illness or injury. Auckland Zoo vet Adam Naylor resuscitated one small chick using CPR and timely sutures saved the life of another; both patients recovered well and are back in the nest with their kākāpō mother or foster mother. Scientist Andrew Digby reports that egg fertility was similar on the two main breeding islands, Whenua Hou and Pukenui/Anchor Island, and that artificial insemination has had a significant positive effect, improving the fertility of eggs. Send any Kākāpō Files questions and comments to kakapo@rnz.co.nz In this episode: 00:00 – Introduction 01:02 - Death of male Matamua 02:21 – Auckland Zoo vet Adam Naylor on Kākāpō ER 09:03 - Sarah Manktelow with egg and chick updates 13:32 – Chicks in hospital 16:43 – Updates on Alison, Queenie & Cyndy, & Tiwhiri-A1 21:58 - Andrew Digby on egg fertility across islands 26:24 - AI has improved fertility of eggs 29:58 - Closing credits… Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for…

People in this episode

Guests: Adam Naylor, Andrew Digby, Sarah Manktelow

Topics covered

  • kākāpō conservation
  • breeding
  • animal health
  • egg fertility
  • wildlife recovery

Keywords

  • kākāpō
  • chicks
  • breeding islands
  • artificial insemination
  • wildlife health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: DOC

Places: Whenua Hou, Pukenui/Anchor Island, Auckland Zoo

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