Endangered species

Lonesome George, the long-living Galapagos Islands giant tortoise thought to be the last of his kind, might soon be a father.

The booming of the male kakapo this breeding season is likely to be followed by an unprecedented population boom, with experts predicting a 50% increase in the population of the critically endangered bird species.

President Michelle Bachelet pushed to permanently ban whaling along Chile's sprawling coast at the opening of the week-long International Whaling Commission meeting.

They glide and wheel, riding effortlessly on the breeze over the wake behind the boat.

Fishermen around the country need to unite and fight the "over the top" measures to protect the rare Hector's and Maui dolphins announced yesterday, Port Chalmers Fishermen's Co-op Society president Neil McDonald says.

Members of the public will have a chance to see the world's rarest parrot when Sirocco the kakapo is temporarily transferred to Ulva Island, off Stewart Island, later this year.