A new initiative by the Takahe Rescue Programme has the potential to significantly boost numbers of breeding pairs of the endangered bird species.

The Takahe Rescue Programme backed by Mitre 10 has announced it will be releasing the first two pairs of the endangered Takahe on Motutapu Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf 27th August 2011.

The Department of Conservation has given approval for the Takahe release to go ahead confident that the bird will do well on Motutapu. DOC says it will help to restore biodiversity values, food webs and contribute to the long term security of Takahe by creating a robust population in a secure location.

The focus of the programme is to eradicate any potential predators and make sure the Takahe have a safe place to live as they are transferred from several sources including Tiritiri Matangi Island in Auckland’s Haurakai Gulf, Mana Island, off Wellington’s west coast and Maungatautari near Cambridge in the Waikato.

“While it’s hard to predict exactly how many pairs the island can support, we are hoping that at least 20 pairs will establish”, says Mitre 10 chief executive John Hartmann.

“The programme will ensure a healthy life for the rare Takahe and make the breeding of these native, endangered birds much easier”

“This will result in the largest population of Takahe outside the Murchison Mountains – this is really exciting”, says Mr Hartmann.