Every kākāpō wears a smart transmitter that emits a signal packed with behavioural data. They scramble over the islands, tracking the signals to collect the data and monitor the birds' locations. They also collect data from automated tracking stations on the islands, and occasionally during a special flyover. This allows them to monitor the kākāpō intensively.

Once a year they locate each bird and replace its radio transmitter, weigh it, check its moulting condition, take blood samples and check for parasites. They then load the information into a national database that allows them to track the life history of each kākāpō, and build a clearer picture of the species.

Kākāpō live safely on islands free from predators such as cats, dogs, possums, ferrets, stoats and rats. The rangers constantly safeguard the islands from the ongoing threat of predator invasion. Anchor Island, one of the main habitats, is within a stoats swimming distance from the mainland. It is therefore important to maintain a network of stoat traps on the island.

Sometimes, a kākāpō mother has too many chicks to raise successfully herself, or a chick is sick or underweight. In such cases, they remove the chicks and care for them themselves. They artificially incubate the eggs, mimicking the temperature and humidity of a kākāpō nest. It requires round-the-clock care and specialist skills.