The search is on for an aphrodisiac for the world's largest parrot, the nocturnal and flightless Kakapo. So few of the remaining birds are interested in mating that the species is in danger of becoming extinct.
The green chicken-sized bird from New Zealand is so slothful it seems to think of love only about once in five years, when it eats from the fruit of the Rimu tree - giving scientists hope that they may isolate an avian Viagra from its juices.
Another problem is that, of the 57 birds surviving in two colonies off the New Zealand coast, there are more than 30 males and only eight of the females have been known to lay an egg - the rest are thought to be too old.
The British Council, a government-funded cultural and development agency, has begun a programme with British and New Zealand scientists to help with these menopausal females. They hope to give the birds hormone replacement therapy.
If all else fails, any parrots which do keel over are to be preserved in a freezer. Prof Peter Sharp, from the Roslin Institute in Midlothian, Scotland, where Dolly the sheep was cloned, believes he may be able to revive the species.
The Kakapo developed in a cosy island world where there were no predator mammals, until 150 years ago when along with English settlers came the rat, cat and stoat.
In 1989, the New Zealand authorities realised that this unique species had reached crisis point. Two small colonies were established on predator-free islands.
Chicks have been hatched and three currently survive. But unless the success rate improves the future looks bleak.