Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication.
Date: 29 April 2016
Public viewing sessions are being held between 10 am and 2 pm for all weekends in May. Tickets can be purchased for $2 from the Invercargill i-SITE (located in the Southland Museum, 108 Gala St, Invercargill).
“This is a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to view one of the world’s rarest birds before the chicks are returned to their predator free sanctuaries”, explains Julie Futter, Kākāpō Advocacy Ranger.
A temporary facility has been set up in the Invercargill CBD to hand rear this season’s most vulnerable chicks.
“The chicks are cared for 24/7 at the facility and their presence in Invercargill provides a rare opportunity for people to see a real live kākāpō.”
“During the viewing sessions, people will be able to see several of the chicks in an enclosure and learn more about New Zealand’s unique parrot and the Kākāpō Recovery Programme”, Miss Futter explains.
As the chicks’ health is top priority, spaces are limited and bookings will be taken for one hour time slots, in which groups of 10 people will be moved through the facility to view the chicks.
All proceedings will be directly donated to the Kākāpō Recovery Programme to help ensure the survival of these precious chicks.
Further information on the location of the facility will be provided to the public once they have booked their tickets.
Kākāpō chick
Image: Rosalind Cole | DOC
DOC technical advisor Daryl Eason with kākāpō chick
Image: Sharon Trainor |DOC
More information
Final kākāpō egg of the year hatches
Contact
Julie Futter, Kākāpō Advocacy Ranger
Phone: +64 3 249 0224 or +64 3 211 2486
Email: jfutter@doc.govt.nz