Voice of the Kākāpō
An adventure through the bumpy bumper 2019 breeding season of NZ's rare flightless parrot.
Hosted and produced by Alison Ballance
RNZ exclusive
This podcast is only available on the RNZ website and apps, ad‑free and uninterrupted.
Kākāpō - night parrot
This podcast is only available on the RNZ website and apps, ad‑free and uninterrupted.
Kākāpō - night parrot
Episode 1
Episode 1
The kākāpō is a giant flightless parrot whose fortunes are tied to the rimu tree and to a dedicated team of rangers from the Department of Conservation.
Whenua Hou, kākāpō island
Episode 2
Whenua Hou, kākāpō island
Episode 2
The kākāpō team know all the signs are good for a big kākāpō breeding season - the question is exactly how big and when will it start?
Nest checks
Episode 3
Nest checks
Episode 3
Kākāpō breeding is in full swing after an early start, and DOC's Deidre Vercoe and Andrew Digby are checking to see if eggs are fertile.
Promise
Episode 4
Promise
Episode 4
Most of the female kākāpō have bred and the team is carrying precious fertile eggs to the 'egg room' for incubation. Meanwhile, on Anchor Island, the rain is falling.
Kākāpō sperm takes to the air
Episode 5
Kākāpō sperm takes to the air
Episode 5
The tally of infertile eggs is climbing and the kākāpō team is using artificial insemination - and a drone - to try and counter the problem.
Kākāpō chicks
Episode 6
Kākāpō chicks
Episode 6
The kākāpō eggs are hatching, and chicks are being hand-reared or returned to their mother's nest... but not every chick is thriving.
Dark days
Episode 7
Dark days
Episode 7
A deadly fungal disease strikes the kākāpō population on Whenua Hou and the Kākāpō Recovery team calls on New Zealand wildlife vets to help.
Success
Episode 8
Success
Episode 8
The 2019 kākāpō chicks are becoming independent and birds sent to be scanned for aspergillosis are getting clean bills of health.
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