Well, we might not be able to claim that sax has saved an endangered species – but after learning of a record-breaking kākāpō breeding season, we like to think it provided a nudge in the right direction.

We’re thrilled that this breeding season has brought 77* (and counting) new members of the booming into the world. There have been 249 eggs laid so far, with 76 of these still alive and developing, and 70 still to be checked for fertility.

In case you missed it, before this breeding season began, there were only 147 kākāpō left. We’ve been working with the Department of Conservation to develop some clever ways to save them, like 3D-printed Smart Eggs that can help mothers prepare for chick rearing. But these are only useful once breeding kicks off.

So, we put the call out across New Zealand for a saxophonist to record some saxy music to get the kākāpō in the mood to breed.

We had many entries from across the country, as Kiwis with saxophones leapt to help save a national treasure from extinction. Piers Dashfield of Wellington was the successful applicant, impressing our panel of saxperts – and, so it now seems, the kākāpō. At the very last, the sax reverberating throughout our great islands rallied national and global support for our feathered friends.

Check out how Piers’ soulful serenade played out in the video below, or show your support by donating to the Kākāpō Recovery Programme. You can also download the song for free below.