First Kākāpō Chick in Four Years Hatches on Valentine’s Day, Sparking Conservation Hope

On February 14, 2026, conservationists across New Zealand celebrated an extraordinary milestone in wildlife recovery: the first kākāpō chick to hatch in four years. The chick, named Hine Taumai-A1-2026, emerged from an egg transferred to the nest of first-time mother Ako on Te Kākahu, part of Pukenui/Anchor Island — a predator-free sanctuary critical to the species’ survival. Just hours later, a second chick, born to foster mother Yasmine, added to the jubilation, bringing the total number of known kākāpō to 237 individuals. These hatchlings are the first successful births since the 2022 breeding season, signaling a potential turning point in the recovery of one of the world’s rarest birds.

According to the Department of Conservation (DOC), the successful fostering of both eggs was the result of meticulous planning and biological insight. Kākāpō females typically raise no more than two chicks at a time to ensure survival, and biological mother Tīwhiri, who laid four fertile eggs this season, was at risk of overextending her resources. To maximize the chances of survival for all eggs, conservation biologists transferred two of Tīwhiri’s eggs to experienced foster mothers: Yasmine, who had no fertile eggs of her own, and Ako, a younger female with no prior breeding experience. "This is a textbook example of adaptive management in endangered species recovery," said Dr. Andrew Digby, lead conservation biologist with DOC, in a social media update. "We’re not just saving eggs — we’re building resilience into the population’s reproductive strategy."

The second chick, Hine Taumai-A1-2026, was transferred from the nest of Anchor Island’s female kākāpō named Anchor, who had been incubating the egg for over 30 days. The transfer occurred two nights prior to hatching, under strict nocturnal conditions to minimize stress. A short video posted by Digby on Bluesky captures Ako gently nuzzling her newborn chick — a rare and emotional moment for conservation teams who have spent decades working toward this outcome. "This is Ako’s first-ever chick," Digby noted. "Watching her instinctively care for it gives us hope that the next generation of mothers will be just as capable."

The kākāpō, a flightless, nocturnal parrot endemic to New Zealand, was once widespread across the country but was driven to the brink of extinction by invasive predators and habitat loss. By the 1990s, fewer than 50 individuals remained. Thanks to the Kākāpō Recovery Programme — a collaboration between DOC, local Māori iwi, and international scientists — the population has slowly rebounded. The 2026 breeding season is considered one of the most promising in decades, with 14 females producing fertile eggs and a record number of foster arrangements in place.

Pukenui/Anchor Island, located off the coast of Fiordland, remains the primary breeding ground due to its isolation and pest-free status. The island is monitored 24/7 via camera traps, microchips, and audio sensors that track every movement and call. Each chick’s hatching is a triumph of technology, patience, and cross-cultural collaboration — including the involvement of Māori guardians who hold deep spiritual ties to the kākāpō, known as "the night parrot" in te reo Māori.

While the chicks are not yet officially counted in the population — they must fledge successfully, typically around 100 days after hatching — conservationists are cautiously optimistic. The survival rate of fostered chicks has increased to 85% over the past five years, thanks to improved nutrition protocols and real-time health monitoring. "We’re not just counting birds anymore," said a DOC spokesperson. "We’re counting futures."

The 2026 season’s success comes amid growing global interest in de-extinction and conservation innovation. With only 237 kākāpō alive today, every chick is a genetic treasure. DNA sequencing of the newborns will inform future breeding pairings to enhance genetic diversity — a key factor in long-term species resilience.