1. Saving the Kakapo How Richard Henry saved the kakapos from extinction. 2. Beginning the Save Richard Henry was born in Ireland and emigrated to Australia. He grew up with aboriginal people who taught him to be an expert bushman. When he was twenty-nine he moved to New Zealand. 3. Kakapo facts Making a nest. selects a nest site Finds dry wood Shreds the wood Makes a deep layer of the wood Shapes the nest out of the wood Did you know: kakapos breed only once every 2-4 years female kakapos are solo mothers raising chicks on their own without any help from the male the female selects a nest site, usually a cavity inside a rotten tree or under a rock and then prepares a soft, deep layer of litter by chewing and shredding dry wood the female lays 1-4 small white eggs about the size of pigeons eggs which she then incubates for 30 days 4. Richard Henrys Life Early days Over the years Richard Henry was trying to save the kakapos, he built up a good picture of their habitats, diet and most importantly their breeding habits for native wild birds and also the Kakapo. Richard was a fond conservationist . Henry was asked to catch the endangered birds and watch over them. He moved to the Sound and built a modest hut within rowing distance of the island. Later days Then in March 1900 disaster struck. A stoat was seen on Resolution Island. Richard Henry was very distressed but determined to wipe out these predators. A task that took six long years. Sadly most of the kakapos didnt survive. Richards life work was all but destroyed. Richard Henry died in 1929 age of 84. only the post master at his funeral. 5. kakapo facts Birds that fly have strong feathers to help them stay airborne but because kakapos dont fly their feathers are very soft. Like most birds, kakapos oil their feathers to keep them waterproof , and even on very wet days their feathers will be dry. Kakapos hide themselves during the day to avoid predators . Kakapos hiding places may include a crook in some tree-top branches, the middle of a low bush or under a log. Kakapos eat a wide range of vegetation, from small plants to big trees. They particularly like soft new leaves and tree roots . 6. Kakapos lives The kakapo is the heaviest parrot in the world Before the arrival of the humans, dogs and cats kakapos were widely spread throughout the country but now their population is less than 100 birds. Kakapos weigh 2-2.5 kg and are 63cms tall. Kakapos live up to 30-40 years Skrarking is a sound often made by wild kakapos. They usually skrark as they come out of their hiding place each evening to let the other birds know of their presence. The beginning of the moult coincides with the time when their weight is at its lowest ebb for the year. 7. The kakapo 8. Hope you learnt some new facts about the amazing kakapo. And make sure to save the Kakapo ! By Jade and Ella