With only 147 of the world's biggest parrots left, this year's baby boom has left researchers snapping positively

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Baby kākāpō being fed by hand – Darren Scott / Department of Conservation (NZ)

The largest and most indefatigable parrot species in the world has just come across an amazing baby boom – and the environmentalists are thrilled.

Although they were one of the most common birds in New Zealand, there are only 147 adult kākāpō alive.

It was previously thought that the species was extinct until a small population was found on an island in the south of the continent in the 1970s. Over the following decades, their population gradually increased from 18 birds in 1977 to 50 in the mid-90s, according to The Guardian.

Kākāpō only breeds every two or four years, when Rimu trees produce fruit in what is called a year mast. The last year of mast, in 2016, saw a record 34 birds added to the population.

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This month, however, scientists were delighted with the arrival of 76 new chicks – more than double the record number of newborns.

"It's absolutely huge, it's huge," said Andrew Digby, scientific advisor for the conservation department's kakawa program. The Guardian.

"In the last two seasons, there have been huge amounts of unseen fruits for 50 years, which is why all female kākāpō know that it's time to breed and have in fact started much earlier than usual, which means that some have now been able to nest twice. "

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A temporary manual breeding facility was set up in Invercargill to help take care of the most vulnerable chicks of the season, providing a rare opportunity for people to see a kākāpō before they are sent back to their island, free of parasites and predators.

In previous years, public hearings were held over longer periods, but as the chicks and their mothers came out well in the islands, the facility was not necessary for the same period this year. year.

"The Kākāpō are [a cultural treasure] for all New Zealanders and we are excited to share their success with the public this year, "said Bronnie Jeynes, Kakapo's Advocacy Officer.

"With all the fruits available, chicks are really thriving on the islands this year. For the first time in recent memory, we were able to put three chicks in a single nest! This is an extremely exciting time. "

(WATCH the adorable happy dance of this kākāpō in the video below)

Hover over the good news to your friends by sharing it with social media – Photo of Don Merton / Department of Conservation (New Zealand)

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