An increase in the number of young birds among one of the world's most endangered parrot species has sparked optimism among conservationists in New Zealand. The kakapo, a flightless parrot native to the region, has seen a record 90 chicks added to its population, bringing the total number of birds to 325, according to the New Zealand Conservation Department. These young birds, born this year, are now considered independent enough to be officially counted after reaching 150 days old. The kakapo is the heaviest parrot species, with males weighing up to 9 pounds, and is known for its distinctive yellow-green plumage and large gray beak. Despite its unique features, the species remains critically endangered due to its inability to fly and its vulnerability to ground predators. The recent success is a significant milestone in the recovery of the kakapo, which once had a population of just 51 birds in 1995, with only 20 of them being female. Since the launch of the Kakapo Recovery Programme in that year, conservationists have worked tirelessly to address challenges such as low genetic diversity, infertility, and poor hatching success. Deidre Vercoe, manager of the department’s kakapo recovery operations, noted that achieving 90 chicks in a single season is a record, especially considering it took 16 years to reach that number in the early years of the program. “It’s fantastic to finally see the population increase,” she said, adding that the population may have last exceeded 300 birds as long as 75 years ago. Conservation efforts have included creating predator-free habitats, as the kakapo’s survival has been severely impacted by introduced predators such as cats and rats, which were not present in New Zealand before human colonization. Today, the remaining kakapos live on protected offshore islands, where they primarily feed on berries from native rimu trees. These trees produce fruit every two to four years, influencing the birds’ breeding cycles and slowing their repopulation. To track their movements and monitor their activity, each bird is fitted with a small radio transmitter. While the increase in numbers is a cause for celebration, conservationists are also focusing on long-term sustainability. Tāne Davis, a representative of the kakapo recovery group, emphasized that success is not solely measured by population numbers. The program has begun to reduce intensive management practices, such as frequent checks on eggs and chicks, by using remote monitoring technology. This shift aims to allow the species to breed more naturally while still providing necessary support. Some of the 2026 chicks will remain unnamed, symbolizing the gradual move toward a more natural future for the species. With early predictions suggesting a shorter gap between breeding seasons, the group is already looking forward to the potential of future recovery efforts.