First population of takahē outside of Fiordland released into wild

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Lily, Rerehu and Dalrachney are three of the 18 takahē that were released in the Kahurangi National Park, near the Heaphy Track.

For the first time in 100 years, takahē are back in the wild in the Kahurangi National Park.

Trampers and mountainbikers using the popular Heaphy Track now have a chance to see the flightless birds living amongst the tussock grasslands.

One of the 18 takahē, en route to its new home in the Kahurangi National Park.

A family of three takahē, Lily, Rerehu and Dalrachney, were some of the 18 birds that were released in Gouland Downs, near the Heaphy Track on Tuesday.

Department of Conservation threatened species ambassador Nicola Toki said the release of takahē in the national park was a 'milestone' achievement that had been two years in the making.

The takahē were released in Gouland Downs, in the Kahurangi National Park, near the Heaphy Track.

The translocation of 18 takahē is the first attempt at establishing a wild population outside of the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland.

*Takahe to be released in Kahurangi National Park early next year**

The takahē were welcomed to the region during a powhiri at Onetahua marae, in Golden Bay, before being flown into the top of the Kahurangi National Park.

Department of Conservation takahē senior biodiversity ranger Glen Greaves checks on Lily, before her flight into the Kahurangi National Park.

The trio of birds wasted no time scampering off into the tussock, high in the moutains.

'It's so amazing to see them run off into such amazing natural habitat,' Toki said.

Department of Conservation threatened species ambassador Nicola Toki in the Kahurangi National Park.

After a 6 hour journey that began at the Burwood Takahē Centre in Te Anau, the birds arrived at Gouland Downs on Tuesday afternoon.

Toki said the tussock grassland in the Gouland Downs area provided the perfect habitat for takahē.

The birds would be closely monitored over the coming months and years to track survival, health, habitat use and breeding success.

The only other place takahē are found in the wild is in the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland.

It is hoped the birds will establish themselves in Gouland Downs, making them the second wild population of takahē outside Fiordland and predator free sanctuaries.

Toki said they were 'trying something new' with the translocation and hoped it would be a success.

Department of Conservation takahē operations manager Deidre Vercoe said trying to establish another wild population was a 'bold move'.

'It might not work, but we must push the boundaries if we are to learn and make progress.'

A second release of 12 takahē is planned in the following couple of months, allowing the birds to complete their moult, and the team to assess how the first birds are faring in the new home.

This would bring the founding population up to 30 birds. If successful, further takahē would be released near the end of the year.

Takahē were once thought to be extinct, but were rediscovered by Invercargill doctor Geoffrey Orbell in 1948.

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said the release marked an important stage in the species' recovery.

The population recently reached 300 birds, which meant its status had improved from 'nationally critical' to 'nationally vulnerable'.

As its population increased, there was less room for takahē on island and mainland sanctuary sites.

'We're at the stage where we have a blueprint for breeding birds successfully – but without suitable habitat with low predator numbers their future is still not secure.'

Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka kaiwhakahaere Sandra Cook said Ngāi Tahu had been closely involved with the Takahē Recovery Programme for more than 20 years.

'It has long been our ambition to see more populations of takahē in the wild and so this is a huge day for our people and for our taonga species.'

Air New Zealand head of sustainability Lisa Daniell said through a partnership with DOC, the company had helped to translocate more than 2500 native animals in the past five years.

'Today has been a great example of that, it is actually the first time we have ever chartered a plane just for the takahē.'

Daniel said Air New Zealand was also involved with biodiversity work on the Great Walks and had supported predator control in the Gouland Downs area, which helped to make the takahē release possible.

'As a country, we face massive challenges in biodiversity and species loss, so today has been amazing because it is a story of how when working together, we are actually able to bring back birdlife.'

The Kahurangi takahē release was made possible through the ongoing support of Takahē Recovery Programme partners Ngāi Tahu and Fulton Hogan.

It was also supported by Manawhenua Ki Mohua, Mitre10 and the New Zealand National Parks and Conservation Foundation.