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Photo: RNZ
Doc intensified the capture at a Wild Takahē place in the Greenstone Valley near Queenstown, after four recent deaths from Takahē pointed to Stoat’s predation.
Ngāi Tahu and Doc launched Takahē for the first time on the NGāi Tahu tribal property of Greenstone station in 2023 to establish a new wild population.
The predation is not unexpected said that the Doc Takahē Deidre Vercoe recovery operations manager, but this apparent cluster of deaths over five weeks is being taken very seriously, as it shows that even suffering can cause much damage.
Stoats are able to kill very large prey, including native birds.
Photo:
“DNA analysis and necropsy results point to a Stoat, and since then we have seen a likely guilty on a camera in the area.
“A fifth Takahē with an unknown cause of death could also have been a victim.
“Stoats can be extremely shy and take some time to catch so that more Takahē deaths can come true.”
Takahē monitoring has been increased, extra pitfalls have been installed, a droplet detection dog is on site, bait trail cameras are in use, and the existing capture network is being required more often.
“Until New Zealand is free of predators, any new wild site for Takahē will have a level of predation threat. This is the reality that our native birds face daily on the continent,” Deidre said.
“Current predator control tools make a big difference to the survival of species, but this scenario highlights the challenges.
“Fortunately, the general population of Takahē is increasing; so with the support of our treaty partner, we can continue to give bold measures to learn more about new wild places that could support Takahē to prosper.”
A population of 20 to 30 Takahē has lived in Pedra Verde for over 18 months and the health and productivity of birds exceeded expectations, with two active reproduction stations indicating that Greenstone Valley is a promising wild place.
A wild young man in the Takahē Valley of Fiordland.
Photo: RNZ / ALISON BALLANCE
The total number of Takahē across the country is greater than 500 and more houses are necessary for the growing population. More than half live in wild places where the Stoats are present.
NGāi representative Tahu in the Takahē recovery group, Gail Thompson, said these recent deaths point out that, despite their large size, robust beaks and claws, Takahē remain vulnerable to predators introduced wherever they are in nature.
“This reinforces the importance of continuing to find new wild habitats for our Taonga species, as well as collectively striving for a New Zealand, predator -free of New Zealand.”
Ngāi Tahu and Takahē Recovery, supported by national partner Fulton Hogan, remain committed to maintaining a Takahē population in Green Pedra and Whakatipu wider.
The efforts to establish a population of up to 80 Takahē this year, in neighboring Rees Valley, began in February, with a second release due to Rees in April and a third planned for spring.
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