03/06/2019
After a
strong start to 2019 for the Critically Endangered Kakapo,
a debilitating fungus has dealt a major blow to its small population.
A healthy
crop of berries was available this year on the species' favoured Rimu
trees, with the breeding season producing a record 86 chicks,
boosting the total population by some 50 per cent.
However,
30 Kakapos are now in hospital on the New Zealand mainland, with some fighting
for their lives. Ten of the parrots have been confirmed as having the severe
infection aspergillosis, caused by the fungus Aspergillus. This has already
killed six individuals, while others are considered to be at high risk and are
being tested for the fungus.
Deidre
Vercoe, manager of the New Zealand Department of Conservation's Kakapo Recovery
Team, explained: "It's a significant chunk of the population really, and
it's the first time in living memory that number of birds has been on mainland
New Zealand, away from their offshore islands.
"It's
been quite hard with the birds that you know. Like when [a Kakapo named] Hoki
died it was really difficult. She was 27 years old and she was known by so many
people who worked with the programme. She was a staunch bird, she demanded your
respect and everyone loved her. She was a real character."
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