The Miracle Birth of a Kakapo Parrot

If you haven't had your daily dose of cuteness yet, just click the video below to see a rare baby parrot!

For those unfamiliar with the Kakapo parrot - the Kakapo is a critically endangered bird in New Zealand. Currently, Kakapo live on protected islands that are kept predator-free. As of earlier this year, there were only 124 of these birds in the entire world, so each and every member is vitally important to the species. Each Kakapo is equipped with a tracking device, and they all have names given to them by conservation workers.

Kakapo only breed every 3 - 5 years, so the recovery is slow (but steady). This year, 2014, six new babies have been added to the population, which brings the total to 130. However, one of them almost didn't make it when Lisa, the mother Kakapo, accidentally crushed the egg. Fortunately, the Kakapo Recovery team has staff and volunteers who monitor nests, and they discovered the condition of the egg. The membrane looked okay, so the team was able to take the egg and repair it with tape and glue. They weren't sure if the chick had survived, but it was certainly worth a try!

Their efforts were rewarded several days later on February 28, when a new Kakapo joined the world to be the first new baby since 2011. The chicks are temporarily named after their mothers, so for now, this baby is called "Lisa One." The above video (posted on the Kakapo Recovery team's Youtube channel) shows Lisa One at a few days of age. As of early April, the chick is growing well, and is starting to show the green feathers of an adult Kakapo.

For more updates (and to find out how you can help in the recovery efforts), check out the official Kakapo Recovery website at: http://kakaporecovery.org.nz/