2005 World Wildlife Fund - The Kakapo

       The kakapo (kākāpō) is critically endangered; as of April 2018, the total known adult population was 149 living individuals, as reported by the Kakapo Recovery programme, most of which have been given names. Because of Polynesian and European colonisation and the introduction of predators such as cats, rats, ferrets, and stoats, the kakapo was almost wiped out. 
       Conservation efforts began in the 1890s, but they were not very successful until the implementation of the Kakapo Recovery plan in the 1980s. As of April 2012, surviving Kakapo are kept on three predator-free islands, Codfish (Whenua Hou), Anchor, and Little Barrier islands, where they are closely monitored. Two large Fiordland islands, Resolution and Secretary, have been the subject of large-scale ecological restoration activities to create self-sustaining ecosystems with suitable habitats for the kakapo.


In 2005, NZ Post honoured the work and dedication of the WWF by featuring the kakapo on this four stamp issue. The first-day cover included all four stamps from this inspiring issue along with a special commemorative datestamp which featured the World Wildlife Fund for Nature logo.

The Stamps.

45c - Relies heavily on camouflage for defence.
With its mossy-green and yellow plumage, kakapo relies on a 'freeze and blend' strategy to protect them from predators. So effective is this form of defence that those charged with protecting the bird say they have stood less than a metre from a kakapo in the forest and been unable to see it - until it blinked!

45c - Night Parrot unique to New Zealand.
'Kakapo' means 'night parrot'. Found only in New Zealand, this wonderful bird bears no close resemblance to any other member of the parrot family. At up to 60 cm long and weighing up to a hefty 3.5 kilograms, it is the heaviest parrot in the world and the only one that is flightless.

45c - Nocturnal bird living on the forest floor.
True to its name, the kākāpō is a nocturnal creature. Solitary by nature, kakapo live mainly on the ground, although they can climb surprisingly well. For a large bird, the kakapo can range vast distances - males range between 15 and 30 hectares, females have an even bigger range because they need to find food for their young.

45c - Endangered - only 86 known surviving.
Today, kakapo are officially extinct on the mainland and there is no hope of returning them, at least in the short to medium term. The 86 birds (2005) that we know about have been moved onto offshore islands that have been designated reserves, where they are being patiently encouraged to breed.
Breeding doesn't always go well with kakapo because they are just as likely to beat each other up as to breed. Not the smartest of birds. They certainly need our help!


First Day Cover - 3 August 2005.

Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF)
        In 1960, the British biologist Sir Julian Huxley visited Africa and found, to his astonishment, that many parts of the continent were no longer filled with wildlife. His call to stop poaching and other threats inspired businessman Victor Stolan to suggest the two men work together to raise the funds needed to tackle the problems from an international perspective. Together with others, they set the initiative in motion, and the following year, on 11 September 1961, WWF was established. Its mission: to stop the decline in the natural world "due to man's folly, greed and neglect."
        In the more than 40 years since then, the organisation has grown into the major, independent global conservation body we know today, with more than five million supporters throughout the world. In 2001, the year of WWF's 40th anniversary, Dr Claude Martin, WWF International's Director-General said, "Our objectives have never been clearer - slow climate change, reduce toxins in the environment, protect our oceans and fresh waters, stop deforestation, and save species."
       The kākāpō is one example of the many creatures throughout the world that WWF wants to see saved.

       Today, 2018, WWF is the world's largest conservation organization with over five million supporters worldwide, working in more than 100 countries, supporting around 1,300 conservation and environmental projects. They have invested over $1 billion in more than 12,000 conservation initiatives since 1995. WWF is a foundation, with 55% of funding from individuals and bequests, 19% from government and international sources (such as the World Bank, DFID, USAID) and 8% from corporations in 2014. 

Four Special Covers - WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature).
These covers were sold to help provide funding for the WWF.

Technical information.

Date of issue: 3 August 2005.
Number of stamps: Four.
Denominations and designs: 45c Night parrot. 45c Camouflage, 45c Nocturnal Bird, 45c Endangered.
Stamps and first day cover designed by: Cue Design, Wellington.
Printer and process: Southern Colour Print, New Zealand by offset lithography.
Number of colours: Four process colours.
Stamp size and format: 40mm x 30mm (horizontal).
Paper Type: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor Stamp paper.
Number of stamps per sheet: 16.
Perforation gauge: 14. 
Special blocks: Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least 12 stamps from a sheet. Barcode, value blocks and logo blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least four stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in both A and B format.
Period of sale: These stamps remained on sale until 2 August 2006.


Some of the images in this post were used with permission from the illustrated catalogue of StampsNZ
You can visit their website and Online Catalogue at, http://stampsnz.com/

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