5 endangered parrots hatch, ups total to 91

The world's largest species of flightless parrot is edging back from extinction with five new chicks hatched in New Zealand in recent weeks and two more on the way, wildlife officials said yesterday.

The latest births of kakapos in southern New Zealand brought the population of the rare bird to just 91.

Emma Neill, a senior official of a Department of Conservation program to save the parrot, said even a small lift in numbers was "awesome, especially considering these birds only breed every few years".