 Though breeding can be improved by supplementary feeding , the survival of young kakapo is hampered by the presence of Polynesian rats . Of 21 chicks that hatched between 1981 and 1994 , nine were either killed by rats or died and were subsequently eaten by rats . Nest protection has been intensified since 1995 by using traps and poison stations as soon as a nest had been detected . A small video camera and infra @-@ red light source watch the nest continuously , and will scare approaching rats with flashing lights and loud popping sounds . To increase the success rate of nesting , a nest watcher places a small thermostatically controlled electric blanket over the eggs or chicks , whenever the female leaves the nest for food . The survival rate of chicks has increased from 29 % in unprotected nests to 75 % in protected ones . 
 Though breeding can be improved by supplementary feeding , the survival of young kakapo is hampered by the presence of Polynesian rats . Of 21 chicks <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>that</mark></a>hatched between 1981 and 1994 , nine <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> either killed by rats or died and <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> subsequently eaten by rats . Nest protection <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>has</mark></a> been intensified since 1995 by using traps and poison stations as soon as a nest <a href='been_done' title='5'><mark>had</mark></a> been detected . A small video camera and infra @-@ red light source watch the nest continuously , and will scare approaching rats with flashing lights and loud popping sounds . To increase the success rate of nesting , a nest watcher places a small thermostatically controlled electric blanket over the eggs or chicks , whenever the female <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>leaves</mark></a> the nest for food . The survival rate of chicks <a href='been_done' title='7'><mark>has</mark></a> increased from 29 % in unprotected nests to 75 % in protected ones . 
Doe breeding can b improved by supplementary feedin , the survival of young kakapo is hampered by the presence of Polynesian rats . Of 21 chicks hatched between 1981 and 1994 , nine was either killed by rats or died and was subsequently eaten by rats . Nest protection done been intensified since 1995 by using traps and poison stations as soon as a nest done been detected . A small video camera and infra @-@ red light source watch the nest continuously , and gon scare approaching rats wit flashing lights and loud popping sounds . To increase da success rate of nesting , a nest watcher places a small thermostatically controlled electric blanket over tdaeggs or chicks , whenever the female leave thdaest fa food . The survival rate of chicks done increased from 29 % in unprotected nests to 75 % in protected ones .