The amazing tale about the heaviest parrot in the world. The flightless kakapo can weigh up to 9 pounds. This nocturnal bird is classified as critically endangered, with all known members of the species surviving on remote islands off the coast of New Zealand. Conservation efforts began for this bird early - in the 1890s and various attempts to keep this unusual parrot alive have met with mixed success. With the introduction of the Kakapo Recovery plan, this unique island parrot may been on the road to recovery. In a land with no native mammals (except for bats), it appears as though the Kakapo has adapted to fill the niches that mammals occupy.

This is a great episode for those with displays on their iPod or watching it on the computer. ***Plenty of photos and live web links embedded as you go along!  If you want more information, click on the photo when listening***

This episode features Paul Jansen of the Kakapo Recovery Programme in New Zealand, sponsored by Comalco. 

Listener comments are welcome to our 24 phone message line at +1 718 395 2283

Special thanks to Stephen Fry www.stephenfry.com for his voicework in this episode.

Photos courtesy of the New Zealand Department of Conservation