Half of the chicks from this record-breaking kākāpō breeding season have fledged and left their nests for good, but are still being fed by their mums. The tally of living chicks has dropped to 92 with the death of a chick from Te Kākahu/Chalky Island. Veterinary advisor Lydia Uddstrom reports that a 4-year-old female is being treated for cloacitis, a mysterious infection with no known cause that has infected a number of birds in the past few years. Kākāpō rangers give potted histories and breeding season updates for nine birds that are part of a symbolic adoption programme.

Send any Kākāpō Files questions and comments to kakapo@rnz.co.nz.

In this episode:

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Vet Lydia Uddstrom with island news
06:24 - Adult female Tōrua treated for cloacitis
11:20 - Adoption birds
13:22 - JEM breeding season update
15:57 - Marama breeding season update
18:14 - Waikawa breeding season update
21:28 - Nora breeding season update
24:24 - Bluster Murphy breeding season update
27:05 - Sinbad breeding season update
29:55 - Kuia breeding season update
32:48 - Rahotu breeding season update
35:05 - Rangi rediscovered
37:50 - Closing credits

Learn more:

Follow the Kākāpō Files podcast to keep up to date
Listen to the Voice of the Kākāpō series for a recap of the 2019 breeding season
Also listen to the episodes covering the interim 2022 breeding season, and about how a few male kākāpō have fared in the North Island, in the fenced Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
For more New Zealand science and nature find and follow the Our Changing World podcast, and subscribe to the show’s monthly newsletter

Guests:

Kākāpō veterinary advisor, Lydia Uddstrom, Kākāpō Recovery Programme
Kākāpō ranger, Jess Wagner, Kākāpō Recovery Programme
Kākāpō ranger, Sarah Little
Kākāpō ranger, Theo Thompson

References:…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details