As of 2023, approximately how many individual kākāpō are known to exist?

• A. 100
• B. 247
• C. 500
• D. 1000

Answer: (B)

Counting how many individuals exist in a very small, elusive population shows how conservation work tracks progress and guides action. As of 2023, about 247 kākāpō are known to exist, combining birds in the wild on predator-free islands with those in breeding programs. Counts are best estimates because these birds are nocturnal and easy to miss in dense forest, so surveys rely on sightings, nest checks, and monitoring data. The small number underscores why every individual matters for genetics and long-term survival, prompting targeted efforts to protect habitat, manage threats, and support careful breeding. The other numbers don’t reflect the latest monitoring results: they’re outside the range reported by contemporary counts.