Hatchings boost kakapo population
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One of the world's most endangered bird populations is on its way to reaching triple figures after the successful hatching of two chicks this week.
The latest additions born on the pest-free reserve Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) near Stewart Island bring the small population of kakapo to 93 and climbing.
More are expected to hatch in the coming weeks.
As well as the 25 confirmed fertile eggs yet to hatch, there are another eight still to be checked and seven more females ready to nest.
Kakapo recovery team leader Deidre Vercoe said the latest additions could be the descendants of Richard Henry, the only surviving kakapo from Fiordland.
His genes were valuable to providing genetic diversity to the kakapo population, Ms Vercoe said.
Out of the 38 breeding-age females, 27 have mated and expectations were for the season to end with 80 per cent having mated.
"It will be awesome to bring the kakapo population to more than 100 and all signs are indicating that could very well happen," she said.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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