Critically endangered kākāpō – the world's fattest parrot – has record breeding season

Just 147 adult kAkApA are alive today in their native New Zealand, but scientists hope their fortunes are turning around

The world's fattest species of parrot has had a record-breaking breeding season in New Zealand, with scientists saying the fortunes of the critically-endangered bird are finally turning around.

There are only 147 adult kAkApA alive today, although a few hundred years ago they were one of New Zealand's most common birds, before being hunted to the brink of extinction, killed by introduced pests, and losing their forest homes to farming.