A prehistoric hen regarded as extinct is rising in numbers in New Zealand, with a brand new pair being launched right into a predator-free hen sanctuary.
Three-year-old feminine Waitaa and six-year-old male Bendigo joined two takahe already residing within the Zealandia ecosanctuary.
The takahe is a big, flightless hen native to New Zealand and was regarded as extinct till it was rediscovered in 1948.
The 2 younger birds will dwell in a pen close to the sanctuary’s perimeter fence to settle in earlier than they’re let loose to roam in just a few days.
Waitaa and Bendigo arrived by airplane from a Breeding Centre within the south of the nation.
Sanctuary volunteer Scott Langdale informed a neighborhood publication that it was an ‘extremely thrilling time’.
Takahe solely breed every year, elevating one or two chicks and dwell for 16 to 18 years within the wild and 20 to 22 years at sanctuary websites.
As of 2021, there have been solely 440 takahe left on the planet and birds are moved across the nation to help the well being and progress of the inhabitants. Â
Takahe as soon as roamed throughout the South Island, however pressures from searching, launched predators, habitat destruction and competitors for meals led to their decline.
The rediscovery of the takahe launched New Zealand’s longest-running endangered species programme.
For greater than 70 years, measures to make sure takahē are by no means once more thought-about extinct have included pioneering conservation methods for endangered species, captive breeding, island translocations and wild releases.
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