Natures Corner

A tale spun by Lewis Carroll? A Jim Hensen Muppet show? Magical Tolkien lore? Believe it or not, the kakapo really truly exists. But just barely. This marvellous bird has been fighting back from the brink of extinction for decades.

Today, there are 86 known kakapo remaining on Earth (and this number has come up from a decade ago!). Once prevalent throughout New Zealand, kakapo now reside on the predator-free islands Codfish and Maud under the care of the Kakapo Recovery Programme. Typically only scientists involved in the programme have had the opportunity to behold this rare and mysterious bird. That changed last year with the inception of Kakapo Encounter. In the Spring of 2006, the Ulva Island Charitable Trust hosted Kakapo Encounter on Ulva Island (Ulva is a predator-free island in Stewart Island’s Paterson Inlet) and invited the public to come observe a kakapo.

The response was phenomenal: people travelled from all over the globe to view this extraordinary bird. Prime Minister Helen Clark herself spent some “face time” with the lovable parrot Sirocco, and remarked that the Kakapo Encounter was a “world class” operation. Due to the success of the event, Ulva Island Charitable Trust is excited to announce that Kakapo Encounter is back! This year the Trust is making an effort to get the word out early, as many overseas bird enthusiasts expressed disappointment they didn’t have enough notice to plan a trip to New Zealand last year.

From 8 September to 22nd October 2008 Kakapo Encounter invites the general public to view a kakapo. Sirocco, an exceptionally personable bird, will return to his special retreat on Ulva. Trips will depart in small groups every evening from Stewart Island’s Halfmoon Bay Wharf. The guided tour includes a boat trip through Paterson Inlet to Ulva Island, and a walk to Sirocco’s enclosure where he can be observed close-up. Sirocco’s pen has been specially constructed with his safety and comfort in mind.