Sirocco, New Zealand’s official spokesbird for conservation, has an important message for the world. This spokesbird is a kākāpō, a critically endangered flightless parrot endemic to New Zealand (Aotearoa). There are only 248 kākāpō alive today, but Sirocco and Kākāpō Recovery are working to change that.
As a spokesbird, Sirocco helps raise awareness for kākāpō conservation. This 26-year-old bird is described as a “media superstar,” and his charismatic personality has helped Kākāpō Recovery gain support. Kākāpō Recovery, a conservation group composed of scientists, rangers, volunteers, and donors, helps keep the kākāpō population healthy. Through monitoring, predator control, and regular health checks, Kākāpō Recovery works to keep this species from extinction. Thanks to conservation efforts, the kākāpō population has grown from 18 known existing birds in the 1970s to over 200 birds today.
What makes these special birds worth protecting? Aside from biodiversity concerns, the kākāpō is simply an extremely interesting animal. Sirocco has charmed countless people worldwide, and the facts below detail fascinating facts researchers have discovered about the species. Explore the gallery below to learn more. And once you’ve fallen in love with these cool birds, you can find ways to support their conservation here.