Kākāpō Population Tops 300 for the First Time in Modern Recovery
A bumper crop of chicks has lifted the critically endangered parrot to its highest recorded numbers.
There is fresh hope for the kākāpō, the world's heaviest parrot, after a strong breeding season boosted its numbers to a new high.
On 1 September, 90 chicks were added to New Zealand's official population count, bringing the total to 325.
That is the highest number recorded since modern recovery work began, and it may be the first time the population has climbed above 300.
The milestone was welcomed by Lady Freethinker, an Ecoflix partner, which shared the encouraging news.
The kākāpō remains critically endangered, and every chick counts towards securing the future of this flightless, nocturnal parrot found only in New Zealand.
Reaching more than 300 birds marks a meaningful step forward for a species that has long teetered on the edge.
Years of careful conservation effort lie behind each new arrival, from monitoring nests to protecting the birds from threats.
The surge in chicks offers reassurance that patient, sustained recovery work can turn the tide for even the most vulnerable species.
For a parrot once numbering just a handful of survivors, crossing the 300 mark is a moment worth celebrating.
You can watch the story of the kākāpō's slow but steady comeback and the dedicated teams working to keep it going.