Kereru © James Allan
5th May 2025
Anna of WWT and some of our trustees had the privilege of attending the release of the first 18 Takahē into the Rees Valley, Glenorchy in February.
Seeing these incredible birds restored to their former home after intensive predator control in the valley by Southern Lakes Sanctuary was a hugely emotional moment, and highlights what the predator free mission can achieve for nature.
The SLS crew have been in the Rees every few weeks checking on the birds, and so far they are doing great. They have been often seen by trampers on the Rees Dart with the hut books full of Takahē sightings!
This release was the start of multiple releases in the Rees Valley, with the plan being up to 80 Takahē in the valley by the end of the year. The second release has recently gone ahead with 27 birds joining their friends. This makes the Rees Valley Takahē the second largest wild population in the world!
We are so proud of our friends at Southern Lakes Sanctuary for being instrumental in making the historic return of this taonga species possible. The work doesn’t stop here, predator control and monitoring will continue to ensure these birds survive and thrive.
The need for intensive ongoing predator control until Aotearoa New Zealand is predator free is evident with a cluster of recent Takahē deaths in the Greenstone Valley, attributed to a single stoat. Takahē were released into the Greenstone in 2023. The overall population of 20-30 appears robust with two successful breeding seasons, but the vulnerability of even big strong birds like Takahē is highlighted by this sad event.
Keep your eyes out for our big blue Takahē friends when you next walk the Rees-Dart track!
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