On Tuesday, 10th March 2026 three kākā (more are on their way) were translocated into the dedicated kākā aviary at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. Six weeks later (28th April) the aviary door was opened and they were given their freedom. They are fed daily nearby while they become accustomed to surviving on natural food.
Their six weeks in the aviary is considered a 'soft release'. The purpose is to ground them to their new location. They grow accustomed to the area, and are fed daily so associate the place with food and comfort. (A 'hard release' were they to be released directly from their transport containers to the freedom of the forest would likely have resulted in their departure, as they tried to head 'home'.)
On Sunday I saw them for the first time since their translocation (I'd been busy elsewhere in the Sanctuary, and was also happy to wait until they were free birds before paying them a visit).
Some photos from Sunday. Lighting is poor, most of these were shot in the 40 - 64,000 ISO range, hence the 'smudged' look of the areas lacking detail (grey feathers etc).
Here one of the males snacks on provided food from one of the feeders.
He's looking for more under the feeder tray.
Claws are hands in the parrot world.
A feather detail of his neck band from the first photo in this post. I like the fiery colours.
Even more fiery underneath.
Snacking on apples.
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