The comeback bird
· 28 min · Episode 377
Episode The comeback bird
Takahē were believed to be extinct not once, but twice. Today their population is just over 500 – still not a huge number, but big enough that new homes are needed for these flightless manu. The latest area to welcome takahē is the upper Whakatipu – in particular, the stunning Rees Valley. But threats remain and keeping on top of predator numbers is key for this comeback bird to survive and thrive in their new home.
Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.
Guests:
• Chrissy Becker-Fifield, Southern Lakes Sanctuary. • Additional thanks to Glen Greaves of DOC’s takahē recovery programme for background information. • Also mentioned: the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust.
Learn more:
• Read this episode's article: Backcountry takahē make a comeback. • November 2023 marked the 75th anniversary of the second time takahē were ‘rediscovered’. We spoke to Alison Ballance about her book about takahē, and her years of reporting on these birds. • RNZ reported on DOC’s efforts to catch the stoat culprits that killed a number of takahē in the Greenstone valley. • After decades of careful monitoring, DOC are stepping back from the Murchison Mountain’s population of takahē. • Takahē have been spotted by trampers around the Shelter Rock hut deep in the Rees valley.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Links in the notes 10
- https://radionz.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=211a938dcf3e634ba2427dde9&id=81ad21bafe
- https://southernlakessanctuary.org.nz/
- https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/takahe-recovery-programme/
- https://rdwt.org/birds/
- https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ourchangingworld/571735/our-changing-world-backcountry-takahe-make-a-comeback
- https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/2018901555/takahe-dreamers
- https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/556525/efforts-to-protect-takahe-at-queenstown-site-stepped-up-after-stoats-linked-to-four-deaths
- https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/538293/nature-s-milestones-you-may-have-missed
- https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16tJxgygUD/
- https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/ourchangingworld?share=4dcb6a69-c39e-43a3-a7d0-e595f39a362e
Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.