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    The urban release of captive-reared Kaka at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science in Ecology at Massey University, Palmerston North
    (Massey University, 2004) Belcher, Sara
    This study investigates the first reintroduction of captive-reared Kaka (Nestor meridionalis), an endangered parrot endemic to New Zealand, at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, a predator free privately run sanctuary in the same vein as the Department of Conservation's mainland islands. Three Kaka from Auckland Zoo and three Kaka from Hamilton Zoo were released into Karori Sanctuary in August 2002 and followed until August 2003. The Kaka were fitted with radio transmitters, and coloured bands before release. Before release, the consumption of supplementary foods was monitored and the Kaka were introduced to natural foods. The Kaka showed no significant temporal trends, and no correlation between the two groups. The Kaka showed marked preferences for some foods and very varied consumption of others. The Kaka instinctively foraged on natural foods that were provided. Provisioning of natural foods may have reduced neo-phobic responses and assisted successful transition to the wild. Five of the six Kaka remained at the sanctuary 13 Months after release. The Hamilton Kaka tended to disperse further than the Auckland Kaka. All the Hamilton Kaka left the valley where as non of the Auckland birds did. RP-P left the valley and few to Island Bay eventually to return, RR-P went west to beyond Makara peak, and RW-P is the only Kaka to leave and not return. An un-banded wild male arrived at the sanctuary in January 2002 and has reminded since. RP-P and P-WY nested in December 2003 and 3 chicks fledged in March 2003, the pair nested again in 2004 along with RR-P and P-WB. The largest part of the Kaka activity budget is foraging. Supplementary food is a large part of the Kaka diet and the more time a bird spent foraging on natural foods the less time they spent at the feeder. The Kaka at Karori developed a unique location call, and there was evidence of this being taught to the Auckland Kaka by the Hamilton Kaka. Use of the feeder was taught to the wild Kaka that arrived and to the chicks. These results suggest that captive-reared Kaka adapt well to release and supports Berry's (1998) findings. Captive-reared Kaka showed an ability to forage effectively on natural foods, had a high level of site fidelity, and formed stable population. Using captive-reared Kaka is an effective management tool, and the presence of an urban environment did not reduce the success of the release.
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    Reintroducing juvenile kaka to Mount Bruce Reserve : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1998) Berry, Raelene
    I investigated whether the release of juvenile Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) is an effective tool in the restoration of Kaka to mainland ecosystems. Five wild-caught juvenile Kaka and four hand-reared captive-bred juvenile Kaka were released at Mount Bruce Reserve in the North Island in June 1996. I assessed the suitability of each group for release by monitoring the survival rates, dispersal from the release site, and behaviour of the Kaka after release. The Kaka were released using a soft-release method. The four captive-bred Kaka were reared in aviaries at the National Wildlife Centre (NWC) at Mount Bruce prior to release. The five wild-caught Kaka were captured on Kapiti Island in May 1996 then transferred to the NWC. The Kaka were held together in aviaries at the NWC for two weeks, then released on 4 June 1996. Post-release the Kaka were provided with supplementary food at feedstations set up at the release site. Each Kaka was fitted with a transmitter and was individually recognizable by colour leg-band combinations. I monitored the Kaka on a daily basis for six months after release. Survival rates for both captive-bred and wild-caught Kaka were high after release, with 8/9 Kaka alive at 30 November 1996. Radio-contact with one of the wild-caught Kaka was lost in September. There was high site-fidelity after release, with most of the Kaka moving a limited distance from the release site and generally staying within Mount Bruce Reserve. One wild-caught Kaka was located at Hokio Beach on the west-coast of the North Island in June 1996. This bird was captured and returned to the NWC. After being re-released at Mount Bruce Reserve in August 1996 this bird has remained within the Reserve. The Kaka adapted well to the new environment of Mount Bruce Reserve, locating and feeding on a variety of natural foods, and interacting with each other after release. All four captive-bred Kaka and three wild-caught Kaka regularly fed at the supplementary fcedstations after release. These results suggest that it is possible to reintroduce Kaka to a mainland site. Translocated wild-caught juvenile Kaka will stay near the release site after release when released using a delayed-release method. Juvenile wild-caught Kaka and juvenile captive-bred Kaka can survive on the mainland in the presence of predators, when assisted by post-release supplementary feeding and low-level predator control.
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    The ecology and anatomy of scent in the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2012) Gsell, Anna Clarissa
    The focus of the research presented here is the analysis of feather scent emitted by a parrot, the kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) and the kakapo’s ability to perceive scent by studying the anatomy of its brain and the olfactory bulb. In addition, behavioural research was conducted to determine the capability of the kakapo’s closest relatives, the kea (Nestor notabilis) and kaka (N. meridionalis) to detect scents and to distinguish between different concentrations of scents.The strong odour of the kakapo is one of the many unique characteristics of this critically endan-gered parrot, but its sense of smell has never been described in detail. The kakapo is the largest par-rot worldwide, it is nocturnal and flightless. Kakapo are herbivorous and it is the only parrot with a lek breeding system. Males defend several display arenas during the breeding season and continuously produce low frequency booming calls. Females come from afar and appraise different males and choose one with which they want to mate. As in all lek mating systems some males make major contributions to the gene-pool of the next generation while others make little or no contribution. Currently it is not known what the female’s choice is based on and why some male kakapo are ‘favoured’ over others. However, it has been observed that favoured males appear to emit a stronger odour than less attractive ones (pers. comm. Kakapo Recovery Team). This study is the first to compare the chemical composition of the kakapo’s scent in relation to season, age and sex. It is also the first study to uncover the kakapo’s ability to smell by conducting a comparative examination of the anatomy and histology of the brain and the olfactory bulb. In spite of its endangered status, the kakapo is a good model in which to study olfaction, as the birds are closely monitored by the Department of Conservation, New Zealand. The birds undergo regular health checks and transmitter changes, allowing access to a large proportion of the population at once and for which their individual history is known. The study of olfaction in kakapo is important as it can contribute to the growing field of avian olfaction, and by elucidating the kakapo’s potential for olfaction conservation managers will be able to make better decisions in their attempt to save this species. The research approach adopted in this dissertation includes the analysis of feather samples from individuals of different sex and age as well as from different seasons using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The opportunity to examine the brain as well as the eyes of a kakapo that died at Auckland Zoo, Auckland, New Zealand, allowed a comparative study of the brain, the olfactory bulb and the visual centres (of both the thalomofulgal and the tectogucal pathways) with other Australasian parrots. Additionally, behavioural experiments with kea and kaka, the closest relativesof the kakapo, give insight into two of New Zealand endemic parrot’s and their ability to distinguish between different scents and scents of different concentrations. The findings from this research provide evidence that kakapo distinguish themselves by having one of the largest olfactory bulbs measured in parrots and the highest number of mitral cells, responsible for the transmission of an olfactory neural signal into a behavioural response, counted in any species to date. They also have a strong odour, whose chemical composition shows sexual, age-dependent and seasonal distinction. Furthermore, the study found that kea and kaka are both able to distinguish between different scents and different concentrations of scents.The main conclusions drawn from this study are that kakapo appear to be equipped with a functional olfactory bulb, able to sense olfactory information, but also communicate information that is likely to be of social importance using their plumage scent. In conclusion, this dissertation provides the foundation for future research, in particular to examine the role of the scent in the social life in kakapo, and it provides fundamental insight into the olfactory and visual sensory abilities of the New Zealand endemic kakapo.