Takahē released in Rees Valley

Efforts to create a sanctuary for endangered species in the Rees Valley has seen takahē released in the area.

Yesterday Department of Conservation (DOC) released 18 takahē in the Otago valley, where they have not been present since the introduction of mammalian predators.

The release is a joint project between DOC, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Southern Lakes Sanctuary.

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is honoured to have supported the release through helping create a safe habitat for the endangered birds.

Over the years, LINZ has been working with a number of organisations, mana whenua, landowners and the community to help control pests and weeds in the area.

LINZ Biosecurity Manager Tracey Burton says LINZ is thrilled to have played a small part in supporting the milestone.

“Conservation requires collaboration, and this project shows that together we can achieve great things.

“We hope the release is successful and these special birds thrive in the valley, like other threatened species like kea, kākā and rock wren.

“We look forward to following their journey.”

The birds were released at multiple locations in the valley, including LINZ Crown pastoral lease Rees Valley Station.

The ultimate goal of the project is to establish a self-sustaining population of takahē in the area.

The release is part of the DOC and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu wider Takahē Recovery Programme.

To find out more about our biosecurity and biodiversity work, visit Biosecurity and biodiversity

For more information on the takahē release see the DOC media release