In April 2019, disaster struck the kākāpō population.
There was an outbreak of the deadly fungal disease aspergillosis, which would eventually kill two adult females and seven chicks.
But against expectations, veterinary experts were able to nurse many birds back to health.
Join Alison Ballance for part 7 of an audio adventure as the rollercoaster ride of the 2019 kākāpō breeding season hits rock bottom.
Before her untimely death from the fungal disease aspergillosis, Hoki was foster mum to three kākāpō chicks. From left to right, Huhana-2-A-19, Pearl-2-B-19 and Bella-1-A-19. Photo: Andrew Digby / DOC
You can find the Kākāpō Files podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRADIO and RadioPublic.
If you would like to know more about kākāpō you can follow the Kākāpō Recovery Programme on Facebook and Instagram. Kākāpō scientist Andrew Digby is on Twitter. Or check out the book Kākāpō - rescued from the brink of extinction by Alison Ballance.
Listen to the full series
Voice of the Kākāpō 1: Kākāpō - night parrot
Voice of the Kākāpō 2: Whenua Hou, kākāpō island
Voice of the Kākāpō 3: Nest checks
Voice of the Kākāpō 4: Promise
Voice of the Kākāpō 5: Kākāpō sperm takes to the air
Voice of the Kākāpō 6: Kākāpō chicks
Voice of the Kākāpō 7: Dark days
Voice of the Kākāpō 8: Success
