Genomic information for almost all of the 250 kakapos in New Zealand will help determine how best to move birds around to increase genetic diversity
To safeguard the critically endangered kakapo – a unique New Zealand parrot – the genomes of nearly all remaining individuals have been sequenced, providing vital information for conservation management.
The kakapo has several special traits. It is the heaviest parrot in the world, with some males exceeding 3 kilograms, and is thought to have the longest lifespan, up to 90 years. It is the only parrot species that can’t fly, instead climbing trees or foraging on the ground to find food like nuts and seeds.
The green-coloured birds were once widespread throughout New Zealand, but were almost completely wiped out by introduced predators like cats and rats. The 250 or so individuals that are still left are managed by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation in partnership with Maori groups on five predator-free islands.The small population size makes it challenging to prevent inbreeding.
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