There are only 123 of the birds left but, thanks to the generosity of two hospitals, sick baby chicks are about to receive a standard of intensive care usually reserved for humans.
“Unfortunately, often the natural food supply runs out and their parents aren’t able to rear them,” says kakapo vet Richard Jakob-Hoff.
“So we have to bring them in to hand raise them.”
There is just 123 of the parrots left and last year, 26 of 33 chicks had to be hand raised – many needed incubation.
The kakapo recovery programme in Invercargill, currently has five simple heating units.
But they are about to be donated some serious technology, in the form of seven neonatal incubators that Auckland and Dunedin hospitals no longer use.
“They’ve done their job, we’ve had good use for the last 10 to 12 years,’ says Clinical Director of Paediatrics on the Auckland District Health Board, Dr Malcolm Battin.“They’re now ready to be decommissioned.”
It’s a huge boost for a species on the brink of extinction. The kakapo has the slowest natural reproductive rate of all birds – the programme can’t afford to lose any chicks.
“It’s looking likely that next year is going to be a fantastic breeding season,” says Dr Jakob-Hoff. "I’ve got no doubt that we’re going to need them.”
The incubators are now on their way to Invercargill to help another generation of vulnerable New Zealanders.
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