Dunedin residents have been excited by an increase in the number of kākā sighted in backyards and parks across the city. Reports made to Orokonui Ecosanctuary of these treasured birds have increased in the last few years and staff at the sanctuary say this is for good reason.
These noisy forest parrots were first reintroduced to Orokonui Ecosanctuary in 2008, after being locally extinct for around 150 years. In recent years Orokonui has seen a steady increase in the kākā population in and around the sanctuary with more and more kākā spreading their wings and being seen across the city.
This breeding season 22 wild born kākā were banded at the sanctuary. While these numbers are still modest they represent a big increase over the years. It took Orokonui 16 years from 2008 to 2024 to band 100 wild born kākā and then in the two seasons since they have banded nearly 40.
With many more young kākā around year on year there is also a marked increase in kākā sightings in the sanctuary. Staff and volunteers have recorded 65 individuals sighted In recent surveys. This only records kākā seen in the sanctuary so the total number in the population is likely much higher. Especially as more kākā spend more time outside the fence. This includes kākā like Pink/Yellow-White which has been in the area surrounding Dunedin Southern Cemetery since March last year, as well as others seen in Brighton, Waverley, The Cove, and Mosgiel.
Orokonui Operations Manager Elton Smith was there to release the first kākā back into the sanctuary so for him this increase is especially meaningful “ It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey to this point, even though we now see kākā every day, you still stop in your tracks when a large flock flies over the valley”. While the job isn’t done for Orokonui it’s now time for others to step up “For kākā to truly thrive across Dunedin there is only so much more we can do here at Orokonui, it now comes down to the how the community supports their new neighbours”.
Here are some simple ways everyone can support kākā as they move into our local areas:
- Avoid feeding kākā at home. Feeding kākā in backyards can lead to bad behaviours, disease spread, and malnutrition. Human foods like nuts and bread can even cause death in kākā through metabolic bone disease.
- Help create a predator free future by doing some backyard trapping or supporting our local predator free groups.
- Planting and protecting native trees is a great way to provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for kākā in our communities.
- Help keep wildlife and our pets safe by restricting wandering of cats and dogs in forest areas. Especially during kākā nesting season over the warmer months.
