Sirocco catches up with old mates
The search for wayward celebrity bird Sirocco has a happy ending.
Two years after his transmitter failed, he has come out of hiding and reacquainted himself with two Department of Conservation rangers who were searching his Fiordland island home.
The cheeky ka¯ka¯po¯ became a worldwide phenomenon after his attempt to mate with zoologist Mark Carwardine’s head on the BBC programme Last Chance to See, starring Stephen Fry.
DOC ka¯ka¯po¯ operations manager Deidre Vercoe said it was a relief Sirocco was safe and happy.
‘‘While we’ve been out to search for him a few times, we were confident he’d be perfectly happy out there in the wild in his predatorfree home.
‘‘We did miss him and his quirky personality though, and we’ve been really keen to catch up with him,’’ she said.
Sirocco’s ease of interaction with humans came about after he required extensive treatment for a respiratory illness as a chick.
The effect was lasting, with Sirocco turning 21 in a month’s time.
As he has been living without contact with humans for two years, a return to the spotlight will be on hold until it is clear whether Sirocco is ready and willing to take up his spokesbird role again.
‘‘We know people will be keen to see him return to public life, however, like a true superstar, any future plans will be on his terms,’’ Vercoe said.
There are only some 150 ka¯ka¯po¯ in existence, living on remote island, which makes Sirocco’s easy interaction with humans a rare opportunity to introduce people to these unique birds.
His quirky personality has endeared him to many, and has helped introduce the world to the ka¯ka¯po¯.
Although Sirocco will be given his personal space, he was fitted with a fresh transmitter, just to make sure the illusive superstar does not pull off another disappearing act in the Fiordland wilderness.
‘‘Once we know how he’s doing and how he feels about having humans back in his life we’ll reassess the situation,’’ Vercoe said.