A Plan for the Future

1. Maximise recruitment in the kakapo population.
2. Minimise the loss of genetic diversity in the kakapo population
3. Secure, restore or maintain sufficient habitat to accommodate the expected increase in the kakapo population.
4. Maintain public awareness and stakeholder support for kakapo conservation.

Ultimately, the Kakapo Recovery Plan has a vision for the species:

"To restore the mauri (life-force) of kakapo by having at least 150 adult females." 

Today, kakapo are being kept on two islands - Codfish Island (Whenua Hou) and Anchor Island, Dusky Sound, both of which are free of predators.

In 1998, the Department of Conservation undertook a major rat eradication project on Codfish Island (Whenua Hou) and, in 2001, completed a stoat eradication on Anchor Island. This means that both are suitable as long-term sanctuaries for kakapo.

However, there is presently no large predator-free island capable of holding more than 100 kakapo, where the birds might be able to look after themselves. The lack of such a sanctuary could become an obstacle if kakapo breeding continues successfully.
So, in the future, a suitable large island needs to be selected and cleared of introduced predators.

Ultimately, a distant dream is to be able to reintroduce kakapo to the mainland.

The Kakapo Recovery Plan 2006-2016 is currently in draft.  It will be available to download from this site soon.