We did it!
Dear supporters of The Kakapo 125 Project,
Today we reached our fundraising objective! It has been an amazing campaign and a humbling experience. On behalf of all of the project's collaborators I would like to thank everyone who contributed. This project establishes a new benchmark for the use of genomics in conservation. The dataset created will be one of the most comprehensive ever created for a species. The number of possible research directions that can be taken based on such a dataset is limited only by the imagination. It's also a great day for kākāpō. We will soon have the data required to understand at a genetic level the reasons for many of the problems hampering kākāpō recovery such as infertility.
Thank you's and Acknowledgements
There are so many amazing individuals and organizations to thank. In no particular order I would like to recognize the following:
- Organizations
The NZ Department of Conservation and its Kakapo Recovery Team
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Duke University and Jarvis Lab
PacBio and its Genome Galaxy Initiative
The Genetics Society of America
- Individuals
Alistair Brown
Debbie Iorns
And so many more including every single one of our generous and supportive backers! Anyone I left off the list I apologize in advance! Please send me an email and I'd be glad to do a second round of thank you's.
As a result of this work the future just got brighter for current and future generations of kākāpō. The Genetic Rescue Foundation is proud to have played a role in facilitating this initiative. I look forward to keeping you all up-to-date with the project's progress.
Thank you and best wishes
David Iorns
Founder of Genetic Rescue
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