World’s fattest parrot, the endangered kākāpō, could be wiped out by fungal infection

Seven of the birds native to New Zealand have died, with just 142 adults remaining

The world's fattest parrot is facing an existential threat in the form of a dangerous fungal infection which has already endangered a fifth of its species.

Seven of New Zealand's native kAkApA have died in recent months after falling victim to the respiratory disease aspergillosis. The latest was on Tuesday, where a 100-day-old chick died at the Auckland Zoo.