KAKAPOS LIVE HIGH ABOVE BUSH IN WESTERN OTAGO

Grey River Argus, 24 March 1949, Page 6

KAKAPOS LIVE HIGH ABOVE BUSH IN WESTERN OTAGO

INVERCARGILL, March 23.

Although Kakapos are not a common sight in New Zealand bush, they are by no means extinct as a recent message from Dunedin duggesis. According to Mr Arthur Hamilton a well-known stalker and alpine enthusiast. they are still afirly plentiful on the high country opposite Te Anau downs, which lias always been regarded as kakapo country. Tliei live above the bush on the higher ground ..though they sometimes come down to the bush line, and their food consists mainly of tussock grass various seeds and berries. “Anybody could see kakapos within a day’s journey of Invercargill,’ Mr Hamilton added. (l 'Thev make runways the same as rabbits and their erv is a booming sound. Certainly they have never been very common in our lifetime, but they are by no means extinct.” The Rt. Rev C. J. Tocker and other bird lovers agreed that the kakapo is not extinct.