Translocation of kākāriki karaka
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The story
Kākāriki karaka are the rarest of New Zealand’s parakeets and among the rarest forest birds in the country.
The first translocation of kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeet) to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary took place on 18 and 20 November 2021; the birds were raised in captivity in Christchurch at The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust. Subsequently, this was followed by additional translocations in 2022 of birds bred and raised at Issacs and also Orana Park in Christchurch. The most recent translocation of kākāriki karaka was 24 January 2023 with a further 9 birds bred at Auckland Zoo added to the growing population of these important manu (birds) in the Sanctuary.
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary provides ideal kākāriki karaka habitat and after a recent count, now holds the world’s largest population of this critically endangered bird (approximately 250-300 counted). The latest population results are very positive and reinforce that the population has not just established, but is thriving, in the Sanctuary environment.
The Translocation Story
How many Kākāriki Karaka are in the Sanctuary?
Following three successful reintroductions of kākāriki karaka (the orange fronted parakeet) into the Sanctuary, a recent count has shown that their numbers are increasing and they are thriving in in the pest-free environment. Although exact numbers aren’t known, the team estimate the Sanctuary holds over 250 and up to 300 of these rarest forest birds making it the largest population in the country.
The translocation process
In November 2021, the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary received 20 critically endangered kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeet/OFP) that were raised at the Isaac Conservation Wildlife Trust (ICWT) in Christchurch. Since 2003, the Trust has bred over 600 birds and contributed significantly to the survival of this species.
The transfer to the Sanctuary was a significant event – it was the first time kākāriki karaka were introduced to a sanctuary and represented a significant new site for the Kākāriki Karaka Recovery Programme.
The birds were flown to Nelson Airport by Air New Zealand and then helicoptered to the Sanctuary, where they were initially held in special on-site aviaries for a few days to acclimatise before their release into the wider sanctuary.
As well as the conservation significance, this transfer is culturally significant as kākāriki karaka are a taonga species and the birds were being transferred to outside of the Ngāi Tahu takiwa.