The Kakapo, a critically endangered parrot native to New Zealand, is known for its striking appearance of green and yellow feathers and it’s above average lifespan, living an average 90 years or more. These feathers help it camouflage in its native forest. It is often called the “owl parrot”, with its face sharing a similar disc-like shape like an owl. It is also known for being nocturnal. Although its most memorable feature is its inability to fly. 

       The Kakapo population has been declining rapidly due to multiple things such as introduction of unnatural dangerous animals to the habitat, including mammals such as rats. The rats are known to have escaped ships and will devour Kakapo eggs and chicks. The Kakapo is also an herbivore, feeding on native plants, fruits and seeds, which combined with its inability to fly, make it especially vulnerable to predators in the area.

       Whenua Hou, or Codfish Island, an historical Māori island has been established as a predator-free island, with surviving Kakapo being relocated there in 1987. The island is also completely closed off to the public, with direct travel being strictly prohibited. As there are currently less then 250 left in the world, the birds are monitored closely due to their small population by conservation teams. The birds also have a very slow reproductive rate, an additional challenge to the conservational efforts. The Kakapo stands strongly as one of New Zealand’s successful conservation efforts.