Sustaining the Boom — The Path Forward
The Limits of Island Sanctuaries
As numbers grow, the three main islands face increased pressure:
• Limited territory
• Competition for resources
• Fewer opportunities for genetic mixing
• Higher risk of disease spread
New habitat is essential.
Image credit: Department of Conservation (NZ)
Predator Free Rakiura - A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
Rakiura was once a stronghold for kākāpō. Today, introduced predators keep them away - but that may be changing.
Predator Free Rakiura aims to remove rats, possums, cats, and hedgehogs from the island. If successful, Rakiura would become the largest secure habitat ever available for kākāpō.
The potential impact is enormous - another chance to restore a homeland.
A Shift Toward Self-Sustaining Populations
DOC is refining its approach as the population grows:
• Fewer intrusive nest checks
• Genetic-driven nest prioritisation
• Trial sites with minimal human intervention
• Improved disease protocols after aspergillosis issues in recent years
This transition supports strong, independent birds - an important step toward wild self-sufficiency.
The Mainland - The Next Frontier
The two booming males at Maungatautari are more than symbolic; they represent a potential future where fenced mainland ecosanctuaries become new breeding sites. This would help spread risk and reduce reliance on small offshore islands.
Navigating the Genetic Bottleneck
With only ~247 kākāpō alive, maintaining diversity remains one of the species’ biggest challenges. Tools include:
• Cross-island transfers
• Whole-genome sequencing
• Artificial insemination
• Prioritised breeding from genetically valuable females
The goal is simple:
a future where kākāpō are not only numerous, but healthy and resilient.