Search for the kakapo Exclusive: From the 1989 radio series

Douglas, Mark and the Codfish Island conservationist during the 1989 search for the kakapo. Photo by Mark Carwardine

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Ralph, the fragrant parrot of Codfish Island

This episode tracks Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine's search for the kakapo. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 4 October 1989, this is how the programme was billed at the time:

He is large, green and has forgotten how to fly, which is worrying as there are less than 50 kakapos left in New Zealand. Ralph's major pastimes are running up and down trees and practising his mating call, which seems to repel the females. But no-one has told Ralph.


Endangered Animals

Kakapo. Photo by Mark Carwardine

Kakapo

Mark Carwardine's take on the plight of the rarest animals in the world.

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