Codfish Island / Whenua Hou and southern predator-free islands, New Zealand
#00268
PartialRegion
Implementer
New Zealand Department of Conservation Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Ngāi Tahu and partners
Location
Codfish Island / Whenua Hou and southern predator-free islands, New Zealand-46.7732, 167.6353
Description
The Kākāpō Recovery Programme moved the remaining birds to predator-free islands and manages breeding, genetics, health, nests and habitat intensively. New Zealand sources report that the known population increased from 51 birds when the modern program began in 1995 to 236 in February 2026.
The outcome is partial because extinction risk has been reduced and numbers have grown, but the species still depends on intensive management and limited predator-free habitat. The program is now testing how to expand suitable space while retaining biosecurity.
Metrics
1Known population51 in 1995236 in February 2026individuals
Lessons learned
- Predator-free habitat can enable recovery when paired with individual-level breeding, health and genetic management.
- A growing population can shift the main constraint from breeding output to the availability of secure, suitable habitat.
- Long-term programs need to plan how intensive management can change as population size increases.
Sources
3