Takahē

The Takahé , Porphyrio hochstetteri is an endemic bird of the Île of the South of the New Zealand. It is unable to fly, measurement 63 cm on average, has a massive nozzle, reduced wings and powerful legs. The appearance of the male and the female is identical, only the chicks are of brown color.

Before a forwarding carried out by Geoffrey Orbell in 1948, takahé seemed to be an extinct species. The discovery of specimens in the Fiordland, a difficult zone of access to the South-west of the New Zealand, generated the creation of a natural park of 500 km ², instead of the discovery. In 1981, the population was of 120 individuals. Currently (2006), it is of 313. (Source: New Zealand Department off Conservation).

It is a herbivore, nourishing various plants which one meets in the zones of alpine meadow. It is territorial and generally lays two eggs in a nest which it makes under a trunk or in grasses. The rate of survival of chicks is approximately 75%.

The quasi-extinction of Takahé is due to a massive hunting by the Maori S (before the arrival of the European colonists because of facility to capture it), with the reduction of its habitat and the introduction of predatory such as the Rat S, Pipe cleaner S, Hermine S and cats. In order to preserve it, it was introduced into Néo-Zélandaises islands where there are no predatory such as Tiritiri Matangi, Kapiti, Maud and Mana. It exists there also projects of safeguard of the species in captivity with Te Anau and with MT Bruce Wildlife Center, close to Masterton.

Bonds

• '' New Zealand Department off Conservation: Takahé ''
• '' MT Bruce Wildlife Centers ''