Kākāpō Recovery

Kākāpō Recovery combines the efforts of scientists, rangers, volunteers and donors to protect the critically endangered kākāpō, of which there are only 248 still remaining.

"Toiora" Strigops habroptilus (Kākāpō) On Codfish Island / Whenua Hou, New Zealand. Jake Osborne.

The hard work done by DOC.

Tracking & Mapping

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.

Heath Checks

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.

Pest Control

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.

Hand Rearing

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.

Where do we come in?

We donate 10% of our profits to the Kākāpō Recovery fund to support their ongoing mission to help this unique and special species back from the brink of extinction, and hopefully have them return to the mainland with the goal of New Zealand becoming Predator Free by 2050.

How Can You Help?

"Kenneth" Strigops habroptilus (Kākāpō) On Anchor Island / Pukenui, Dusky Sound / Tamatea, Fiordland, New Zealand. Jake Osborne.

Purchase A Bottle

Buy any bottle of Kākāpō Distillery gin. 10% of our profits are donated to the Kākāpō Recovery fund to support the great work they are doing.

Donate To The Fund

Donate directly to the cause and help support the work being done by DOC.
Every donation helps!

Adopt A Kākāpō

By ‘adopting’ a kākāpō you’ll get a cuddly plushie, stickers, bookmarks, a certificate, and emailed updates. All donations contribute to the conservation of the species.

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