Takah\u0113 are now nesting in Upper Wakatipu areas and a close eye will be kept on the vulnerable birds to ensure they survive and thrive.<\/p>\n
The first chicks of the season have begun hatching in the Greenstone Valley, while the recently released Rees Valley population has started to lay eggs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Department of Conservation takah\u0113 recovery sites project lead Jason van de Wetering said in a statement the chicks and nests are another great sign for an iconic species once thought to be extinct.<\/p>\n
This was due to careful management and working with partner Ng\u0101i Tahu, the Southern Lakes Sanctuary, and support from national partner Fulton Hogan to help return the birds to more of their natural range, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor a long time, the only place takah\u0113 could be found in the wild was the remote Murchison Mountains in Fiordland, with most takah\u0113 otherwise living in predator free sanctuaries and offshore islands.\u00a0Now, more than half of all takah\u0113 live across four wild sites.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it\u2019s still too early to say whether takah\u0113 will establish here for the long term, to have takah\u0113 nesting at these new wild sites is a strong sign the habitat is supporting them well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Takah\u0113 are considered a taonga species by Ng\u0101i Tahu. This special relationship is recognised in the Ng\u0101i Tahu Settlement Claims Act 1998.<\/p>\n
The Greenstone population, released onto Ng\u0101i Tahu tribal property Greenstone Station in 2023, successfully raised chicks that summer, but not last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Rees Valley takah\u0113 were younger and less experienced, so may not be as successful at raising chicks this year.\u00a0 However, the presence of fertile eggs so soon after their release is an exciting first step towards a self-sustaining population, Mr\u00a0van de Wetering said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTakah\u0113 are far from secure in the wild and it takes patience and perseverance to establish these wild sites for the long-term. It is thanks to the hard work of Southern Lakes Sanctuary and their effort to suppress predators that we can have takah\u0113 in the Rees Valley.<\/p>\n
“Success is never guaranteed. For now, all eyes will be on the nests over the coming weeks and months to see how things progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
Southern Lakes Sanctuary\u2019s Paul Kavanagh said this nesting shows what is possible when sustained conservation efforts and good science come together.<\/p>\n
“The land custodians, our partner group Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust, and our team have worked hard for years to give taonga like takah\u0113 a fighting chance.<\/p>\n
“So to witness them settling and nesting, is incredibly special for our team and our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0recovery programme\u2019s goal of having people see a once-thought extinct bird in the wild is happening, with plenty of reported sightings along the Rees-Dart track,\u00a0Mr\u00a0van de Wetering said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the population grows, they will start popping up in all sorts of places. If you\u2019re lucky enough to see one while out naturing or in your backyard, give it space, keep any dogs away, and admire the return of one of Aotearoa\u2019s iconic species to their former natural range.\u201d<\/p>\n