History of the takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) exemplifies the kind of conservation effort capable of reviving a species once thought doomed. Once deemed extinct in the 19th century, this New Zealand flightless bird became a symbol of recovery and resilience in wildlife protection.
Found on New Zealand’s South Island, this ancient species is renowned for its striking blue plumage and a vivid red beak. It has come to symbolize the revival of a creature once declared extinct in 1898. Today, there are more than 440 living individuals, according to the latest updates from the New Zealand Department of Conservation, with data extending back to 2021.
The takahe’s return to life began around 1948 when scientist Geoffrey Orbell and his team located the last wild survivors in the grasslands of the Murchison Mountains above Lake Te Anau in Fiordland. After that discovery, efforts shifted to a broader, sustained conservation program aimed at keeping these birds from disappearing again.
Orbell’s finding sparked a long-term conservation initiative focused on preserving natural habitats and reducing threats. Early actions included establishing predator-free islands such as Te Hoiere, Mana, Kapiti, and Tiritiri Matangi, along with the pivotal Burwood Takahé Centre where wild eggs are incubated and reared before being reintroduced to the wild.
The repopulation continued in 2010, with birds raised by their parents at the center and other shelters. In 2018, the takahe was reintroduced into Kahurangi National Park, marking another milestone in its recovery.
Recovery has not been a simple path. The population faced dramatic fluctuations, including a severe setback in 2007 when a cactus invasion reduced numbers in the Murchison Mountains. Nevertheless, by 2016 the recovery gained momentum, with the population steadily increasing in follow-up years.
spiritual birds
The takahe holds particular cultural, spiritual, and traditional significance for Ngāi Tahu, a Maori iwi spanning much of the South Island. The bird is viewed as a taonga, a treasure, and the iwi acts as kaitiaki, or guardians, in partnership with New Zealand’s conservation authorities to ensure the species’ protection. This relationship is a cornerstone of the takahe’s ongoing recovery and protection strategy.
The takahe typically lives 16 to 18 years in the wild and 20 to 22 years in sanctuaries. Its preferred habitat is grasslands, with occasional movements into forested areas during heavy snow. Its diet consists mainly of starch-rich leaves from shrubs and reeds.
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Notes from the environmental portfolio emphasize the takahe’s enduring cultural connection and the ongoing collaboration with local communities to safeguard this remarkable bird for future generations.