After more than a century of absence, the Kākāpōrare night and non -flying parrothe has returned to make himself heard in theNorth Island from the New Zealand. This exceptional event marks a fundamental stage in the projects of ecological restore of the species.
The protagonist is Motupōhuea male transferred in 2023 to a protected area of Northlandwhere his call of mating – a deep sound known as booming – He was heard for the first time in that region since the nineteenth century.
Although in the area they are not yet present females, the return of the Kākāpō represents a success for the strategies of environmental conservationwhich they integrate advanced technologylike the GPSThe DNA sequencing and the Diet monitoringwith the traditional knowledge of the communities Māori. The release of Motupōhue was not accidental: it was chosen for his Good genetic health and for promising reproductive behavior.
In 1995 just 51 specimens remained
The Kākāpō (Strigops Habroptilus) is one of the most singular species in the world. Is the heavier parrotcan live beyond 60 years And, thanks to its green plumage, it succeeds in camouflage perfectly in its natural habitat. However, it is also one of the most at risk species: in 1995 they had just remained 51 specimens.
Surprisingly, recent genetic studies have revealed that this small isolated population, despite being highly consanguineahas a reduced number of harmful mutations. A process known as genetic purge It may have favored the elimination of these unwanted variants over the millennia. This makes hope not only for the future of the Kākāpō, but also for the safeguarding other threatened species.
Currently the population has exceeded i 200 individualsand the knowledge acquired thanks to the sequencing of the genome allow to plan the future assisted reproduction activities in a more targeted way. The return of the singing of the Kākāpō on the North Island is the concrete symbol that, with commitment, scientific innovation and respect for local culture, even the most at risk species can find a second possibility.
