The second part of the #kakapo episode of the DOC “Sounds of Science” podcast is out now. Listen here doc.govt.nz/podcast #conservation #parrots #wildlife

Well worth 10 mins of your time: the struggle to save a critically endangered bird at the southern end of #NZ . And no, it isn’t #kakapo ! Beautifully put together by students at University of Otago with help from the Southern NZ Dotterel Team at Department of Conservation. youtu.be/F8WoN43rhzM?si…

Our team on Whenua Hou have been changing #kakapo transmitters and finished yesterday with Esperance. Lovely photo by ranger Maddy Whittaker #parrots #fieldwork #conservation #wildlifephotography

Although #kakapo are flightless, they spend a lot of time off the ground. They use their large wings and strong bill to good effect when climbing, and are frequently found high in the forest canopy. #conservation #parrots

#kakapo relied upon camouflage to avoid predators (which were birds, now extinct), so they freeze when threatened. Here’s Cyndy, frozen mid-step while walking along a log. #conservation #parrots

#kakapo camouflage isn’t too shabby. This is Cyndy today, not even trying: completely in the open, about 50cm from the camera. Find out more about kākāpō in the latest episode of the Department of Conservation “Sounds of Science” podcast: doc.govt.nz/news/podcast/ #conservation #parrots

Female #kakapo Kuihi during a transmitter change and health check on Whenua Hou today. We currently change transmitters every 1 - 1.5 years, but a new design in final stages of testing will last much longer and be easier to fit. #conservation #parrots #fieldwork .

Today we transferred three #kakapo from Whenua Hou to Anchor Island and Te Kākahu/Chalky Island, as part of population and genetic management. Here’s Lierz en route. #conservation #parrots

Flying over Rakiura/Stewart Island en route to Whenua Hou today. There are *lots* of rimu trees - the favourite breeding food of #kakapo . We hoping to be able to return them there in the not-too-distant future, when the island is free of cats, rats and possums. #conservation

Want a deep dive into all things #kakapo ? Check out the latest Department of Conservation Sounds of Science podcast, where I tell some of the #conservation stories you won’t hear elsewhere. Stream online at doc.govt.nz/podcast or in your podcast app. #parrots #SoundsOfScience #scicomms

Catching up with #kakapo Tuterakipaua on Anchor earlier this week for a health and transmitter harness check. At 2 years old, he’s one of 53 juveniles still alive from 55 fledged in 2022 - a good survival rate. #conservation #parrots

Not a shabby morning on Anchor Island, southern Fiordland #NZ . Heading out for a #kakapo health check. #conservation

Catching up with Taeatanga at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari this week - one of four males at this new site for #kakapo . Hard to believe he’s nearly 10 already - feels like yesterday seeing him as an egg on Whenua Hou 🙂. #conservation #parrots 📸 Jasmine Rabaud

Evening stake-out for #kakapo at Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain in the North Island #NZ this week. Cool to see #kakapo and brown #kiwi in the same evening; a bit unusual to hear cows nearby too! #conservation

Spending a few days at the beautiful Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in the middle of #NZ North Island, helping with #kakapo health checks and testing potential new monitoring gear. #conservation #parrots Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

Two #kakapo are on their way back south after repeatedly escaping from Maungatautari fenced sanctuary. We’re working hard to understand how and why they’re getting out, and how to stop it! This week we’ll be testing new tracking tech. #conservation 📸 Dani Whitaker

Delighted that Graeme Elliott, #kakapo scientist, albatross researcher, pest-control guru, one of NZ’s best science communicators and all-round legend has been honoured for his huge contributions to #conservation . stuff.co.nz/national/13350…

2yr postdoc position available here in beautiful Tāmaki Makaurau- Auckland. Imputation strategies for low coverage sequencing from wild populations. Working with our fab team and Audald LLoret-Villas. Closing date 15-Jan-24. More info here: asanture.wordpress.com

We’ve removed 3 of the 10 #kakapo from Maungatautari to southern islands to reduce monitoring workload after Motupōhue escaped twice in quick succession. We’re committed to the trial at this new site, but with fewer birds for now. #conservation 📷: Peter Drury; Daniela Whitaker

John Oliver now this is why kākāpō should've been your choice - you can't adopt a grebe! ADOPT A KĀKĀPŌ doc.govt.nz/adopt-a-kakapo