Kakapo Conservation – Biology Issue ReportThe Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), a flightless parrot native exclusively to New Zealand, is currently listed on the International Union for Conservation's Red List. nature conservation under the category “Critically Endangered”. . This listing has truly highlighted the problem of the kakapo population decline and can only highlight the fact that something must be done to save this struggling species. In this report, I will investigate and discuss solutions to revive the struggling kakapo population. I will primarily focus on in situ supplementary feeding conservation of the Kakapo, whilst also investigating the use of artificial insemination and ex situ conservation captive breeding. The population of Kakapo has declined rapidly over the past 200 years or so since Kakapo was established. 19th century. During this period the Kakapo inhabited both the North, South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand, whereas at present the Kakapo can now only be found on 3 small islands surrounding the New Zealand. This huge population decline was almost certainly caused by the colonization of New Zealand, which led to the introduction of animals such as cats, dogs, rats and stoats. This exploration also destroyed much of the habitat that the Kakapo depend on, such as the berry fruits of the rimu bush. The invasion, along with the kakapo's high rates of infertility (only 58% of eggs hatch) and the fact that the kakapo only breeds once every 2 to 5 years, have all contributed to its near extinction. The population is believed to have been in the low thousands before this period, compared to the 2012 count of 126 Kakapo who reside on the islands today. The main solution...... middle of paper..... The .ks hatched, eliminating the male preference and bringing the ration down to about 50/50. This advancement has been approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Conservation and is currently the main conservation solution used by the Kakapo recovery program. The program continued and expanded the use of supplemental feeding and successfully introduced feeding stations throughout Codfish Island. These feeding stations are activated when a kakapo with a selected radio tag jumps onto the station (kakapos with an "underweight" category qualify for that female <1.5 kg and males <2 kg) and that food falls from a dispenser for the bird. Birds can return whenever they want because they can easily be tracked and monitored for changes in weight and health. This in situ conservation program is apparently very suitable for the conservation of kakapo..