Good news for the rare takahe

Forest and Bird, Volume 17, Issue 2, 1 May 1986, Page 31

Good news for the rare takahe

The flightless takahe, thought to have been extinct until their re-discovery in Fiordland’s Murchison Mountains 38 years ago, have increased in numbers for the second year in succession. In December 1985, 181 takahe were counted at the end of the breeding season compared to 153 the year before and a mere 120 birds for the three years prior to that. Intensive control of deer which compete with the takahe for their favoured tussock food has clearly improved takahe breeding. Captive-bred takahe are also being reared at the Burwood Bush red tussock reserve near Te Anau. In October, the Wildlife Service will now establish the second major wild population of takahe in Fiordland’s Stuart mountains. This should allow for continued expansion of takahe range and numbers. It will also provide insurance against any catastrophe in the Murchison Mountain's takahe population. The Southland National Parks and Reserves Board deserves praise for approving this move in the face of major regional opposition from deerstalkers.