Science Media Centre

The Kakapo 125 Genomes Project, launched yesterday, will provide detailed genetic information necessary to minimise the loss of kakapo genetic diversity, and optimise health and productivity in the existing population. The crowdfunded project aims to sequence the genomes of all 125 members of the green parrot species – the first time genomes will be sequenced […]

Smart spending of private conservation funding for individual ‘charismatic’ species can significantly benefit other species, say the authors of a new study. In New Zealand, the Department of Conservation (DOC) runs a National Partnership sponsorship programme, allowing companies to sponsor an individual, iconic ‘flagship’ species such as the kiwi, kakapo or takahe. Some experts have […]

An Australian ecologist has suggested that efforts to prevent the extinction of the native kakapo should be abandoned in favour of protecting other  species. However, the Department of Conservation has indicated that it will continue to support the current Kakapo Recovery Programme. Reporter Bronwyn Torrie covered the story in the Dominon Post. Update: For TVNZ’s […]

Richard Henry, the kakapo whose discovery in 1975 overturned the belief that kakapo had become extinct, has died. Henry, who was believed to have been at least 80 years old, became a key part of the Kakapo Recovery Programme, contributing to the genetic diversity of the breeding programme – he leaves behind three offspring. Media […]

Kiran Chug writes in the Dominion Post about concerns over whether Sirocco the kakapo should be allowed to continue his visits back to a kakapo sanctuary island. A new untreatable strain of a beak and feather virus has been  found in native parrots, and scientists are worried that the disease might spread to Sirocco and, […]