The country is in the midst of a national effort to wipe out its worst introduced predators – rats, possums and stoats – by 2050. Their work to sustain takahē is part of a far wider effort in New Zealand to protect its unique, threatened birds. “After decades of hard work to increase the takahē population, it’s rewarding to now be focusing on establishing more wild populations, but it comes with challenges – establishing new wild native species populations can take time and success is not guaranteed,” she said. If the just-released pairs adjust to their new home, the hope is to release another seven birds in October and up to 10 juvenile takahē early next year. “Continuing to keep them low … is crucial.” “Trapping of stoats, ferrets and feral cats has knocked down predator numbers,” said DOC Takahē recovery operations manager Deidre Vercoe. After switching to breeding the birds in captivity, the Department of Conservation (DOC) gradually introduced them to a few island sanctuaries and national parks, investing heavily in trapping and pest-elimination to try to protect the birds. As they hatched, the chicks were fed and raised by workers wearing sock puppets with the birds’ distinctive red beaks. Initially, conservationists gathered and artificially incubated the eggs, to prevent them being eaten by predators. ![]() After their rediscovery in 1948, their numbers are now at about 500, growing at about 8% a year. The birds had been formally declared extinct in 1898, their already-reduced population devastated by the arrival of European settlers’ animal companions: stoats, cats, ferrets and rats. ![]() In New Zealand, the return of wild takahē populations marks a cautiously celebrated conservation victory, and the return of one of the world’s rarest creatures. Takahē bird continues its journey of recovery with release into New Zealand tribal lands – video Push to eliminate pests
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