Kakapo to visit Wellington

Sirocco the kakapo to visit Zealandia

July 2011. Sirocco the kākāpō is to visit Wellington's award winning eco-sanctuary: Zealandia. Wellington has never before hosted an adult kākāpō - the world's rarest parrot. Seeing one is a unique and, until recently, exclusive experience.

"Seeing Sirocco will not only be entertaining but also really help people to understand how remarkable our natural history is and why conservation efforts need all the help they can get. We're very excited and feel privileged to host him." Zealandia Chief Executive Nancy McIntosh-Ward said.

Internet sensation Sirocco is most famous for enthusiastically ‘shagging' Mark Carwardine's head as Stephen Fry laughed from the sidelines in 2009's BBC programme Last Chance to See. The incident propelled him to star status with over 3 million views on YouTube. He is now the world's first official spokes-bird for conservation with over 7,000 Facebook fans and over 3,000 Twitter followers.

"This is an amazing opportunity for locals and visitors to come face to face with one of the strangest, rarest and most charismatic of New Zealand's native species. Kākāpō evolved to flourish in an environment free of mammalian predators but came very close to extinction after the introduction of mammalian pests. We're looking forward to hosting Sirocco, he's a powerful advocate for his species" Zealandia Conservation Manager Raewyn Empson said.

Register your interest in visiting
Kākāpō are nocturnal so Zealandia will be offering tours to see Sirocco in the evenings over late September and through October. Pricing and details have yet to be confirmed, register your interest at www.visitZealandia.com/kakapo.

Just 131 kakapo survive today
Sirocco is one of only 131 kākāpō surviving today. The rest live on predator-free islands closely monitored and supported by the Kākāpō Recovery Programme. Sirocco was hand-reared away from others of his species after suffering respiratory illness and consequently imprinted on humans, hence his kākāpō - human mating attempts!

As part of his Rugby World Cup plans Sirocco will also be staying at Orokanui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin over September.

Hosting a famous rare parrot takes serious preparation and funds. Sirocco's visit is proudly sponsored by our principal partner Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand with funding from The Lion Foundation and Karori Brooklyn Community Charitable Trust.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/scirocco-wellington.html#cr
Kakapo facts

Kākāpō are flightless.
Kākāpō are the world's heaviest parrot species.
Kākāpō are possibly the oldest living bird in the world.
Kākāpō have a subsonic mating boom that can travel several kilometers.
Nineteenth-century explorer Charles Douglas noted that he could shake a tree and kakapos would fall like ripe apples.
Sirocco hatched in 1997 and was raised on Codfish Island. He has spent time on Pearl Island, off Stewart Island, but now lives on Maud Island. He has previously been on display on Ulva Island in 2006, 2008 and 2009. He was on display at Auckland Zoo in 2009.