From at least the 1870s, collectors knew the kakapo population was declining; their prime concern was to collect as many as possible before the bird became extinct.
Dari akhir tahun 1870-an, para kolektor mengetahui bahwa populasi Kakapo semakin menurun; namun, perhatian utama mereka adalah untuk mengumpulkan sebanyak mungkin sebelum mereka punah.