This has been the largest breeding season of captive South Island kākā in the history of the breeding programme with 17 chicks reared over this past breeding season.
It has been super busy over the summer months managing the large number of kākā chicks raised — influenced by additional breeding pairs being established to bolster genetic diversity of the kākā being released back into the wild. Artificial insemination was also tried this last breeding season.
Most of the fledglings will be making their way to the wilds of Orokonui, but a couple will be heading to Abel Tasman National Park area to bolster the number of the South Island kākā subspecies that live there.
This is extremely exciting for the team because this is the first time the kākā held at the aviary belonging to this subspecies have produced chicks.
Kākā have been bred at the Dunedin Botanic Garden Aviary for release into Orokonui Sanctuary since 2008 in order to establish a robust founding population that would eventually spill over to extend their range throughout the surrounding areas and into Dunedin city.
For the success of this project consistent predator control and community support is needed, but the future for urban kākā is looking bright.
Garden Life is produced by the Dunedin Botanic Garden.
For further information contact Alisha Sherriff.
