Tiritiri takahe to fly the nest

Anger over plans to some of the nine birds.

The odds of visitors to Tiritiri Matangi having a close encounter with the rare takahe are about to get slimmer. Seven of the island’s nine takahe are to be moved. DoC confirmed three will move on May 18 to the Burwood Takahe Centre, the hub of the takahe breeding programme, near Te Anau.

Another four — including “one of the highest genetically ranked pairs” — may be moved in August before the next breeding season.

The aim is to boost the overall population and broaden the gene pool of the endangered species, but the move is distressing some members of the island’s supporters group.

DoC indicated to the Herald on Sunday that if the four are moved in August, Tiritiri Matangi would be getting some young takahe, although they may not be ready to breed.

The department is looking for a new site to establish a self-sustaining population.

The Herald on Sunday understands a site in the Kahurangi National Park in the northwest corner of the South Island is favoured.

The moves could leave Tiritiri Matangi with as few as four takahe. Some Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi are worried about the impact on the island’s advocacy and educational role. “There is basically nowhere else in Auckland where people can see them except the zoo, and even then people may not get to see them because those birds are very shy,” said a member who didn’t want to be named.

The group’s chairman, Brian Chandler, said although the programme was expected to boost overall numbers, the public being able to see takahe was also important.

“The wellbeing of the species is also dependent on the public perception of the species.”

About 35,000 people, including 7000 school children, visit the island a year.

“Unfortunately, the takahe likely to be moved are the ones the visitors see most often,” Chandler said. That included a family of four that live near the lighthouse and visitor centre and were used to people.

“I guide on the island and the first thing visitors say is, ‘I want to see a takahe.’ There was a very good chance they would because of where those birds were living. We just can’t guarantee that in the future.”

DoC’s takahe ranger, Phil Marsh, said the birds being moved this month were two adult females who would make new highvalue genetic pairings and a juvenile, to be fostered to a takahe pair at Burwood.

“There, the birds will learn key behaviours such as tussock feeding in their native grassland habitat.”

Tiritiri is one of 13 sites across New Zealand that provide crucial sanctuary for breeding pairs, but only Burwood has the natural tussock grassland of the takahe.