The Unnatural History of the Kākāpō

If naturalists go to heaven (about which there is considerable ecclesiastical doubt) I hope that I will be furnished with a troop of kākāpō to amuse me instead of television.

– British naturalist Gerald Durrell, in 1989

A highly entertaining story with heart in the mouth suspense, setbacks, heroic ingenuity, and perseverance above and beyond.

– Reviewer Helene Wong, in The Listener

In 1977 when the kākāpō were first found on Stewart Island, there were estimated to be about 200. By 1982, the number had shrunk to less than 100. ... The revival of hope which had come with the discovery of the Stewart Island breeding population turned to fear ... In an attempt to enhance survival of chicks, he [Don Merton] proposed a fostering programme.

– Authors Rod Morris and Hal Smith, in 1988 book Wild South: Saving New Zealand's Endangered Birds, page 136