CAPTIVE TAKAHE SHOULD INCREASE SPECIES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28897, 18 May 1959, Page 12

CAPTIVE TAKAHE SHOULD INCREASE SPECIES

The destiny of New Zealand’s takahe population could rest with Peter, Paul and Prudence, three young birds of the rare native species which are being reared in captivity in the North Island.

The only hope for the future of many types of rare bird was their successful raising in captivity, said Mr G. R. Williams, a biologist of the Wild Life Division of the Department of Internal Affairs, on Saturday evening. Mr Williams, who has done 10 years’ research on the takahe, was giving a talk on the species in the Canterbury Museum lecture hall. Peter, Paul and Prudence—there was a growing consternation about whether Prudence should actually be Peter and Peter be Prudence—were thriving in an elaborate quarter-acre enclosure, “somewhere in the North Island,’’ said Mr Williams. Takahe in their natural environment eat 90 per cent, red tussock for their food but the three young birds in captivity have added mouse and mashed potatoes, boiled rice, blowflies, bananas, baby food, their captor’s lawn and passing butterflies to their diet. “The weight of the birds is considerably in excess of that of wild birds,’’ said Mr Williams. At six months, the three birds weigh more than the average adult takahe and two of them were heavier than the heaviest wild bird ever weighed. One Takahe in captivity weighed about 91b and the lightest was 71b —the normal weight of a wild bird was s|lb. The three capitive takahe did not make much noise but had several engaging habits. Not the least of these was their penchant for bathing on hot days, said Mr Williams. Using a small and shallow metal tub for a bath, the birds would sit ponderously soaking in it or lie on their backs with their legs in the air. The birds also took water with their food on most occasions and they depended considerably on water for their existence. It was hoped that the birds would breed succc; j and that eventually a stock jf takahe could be built up in captivity. This would depend, of course, on their continued sue-

cess under the conditions of captivity, he said.

“We also hope in the fullness of time, and if there is no danger to breeding, that the public can see them. We hope that they will breed this year—but please don’t go away ' with the idea that they will breed definitely this year and that if they don’t breed this year they will not breed at all,’’ he said. If the takahe did breed successfully, and if a stock of them was built up, it was possible that some could be liberated in favourable areas, he said. There were several areas in New Zealand where conditions appeared to be suitable for takahe. yet they contained no birds. This was probably because a climatic change had caused the Takahe to move from areas in which they used to exist and then, as they were flightless, they were not able to return when the climate reverted to its original form. “50 Birds At Least” “I do not know how many birds there are in New Zealand. There are, we know from counting, 50 at least in the Point Burn area,” said Mr Williams. “If I had my arm twisted and I was asked to make a guess I would say there are a few hundred in the country.” It was from the Point Burn area in the Takahe Valley district that Peter, Paul, and Prudence plus a fourth bird called Patience were taken as chicks and brought to captivity. Patience died during the first few months in captivity. The chicks were reared jn their early lives by two bantams which eagerly adopted them after attempting for several days to hatch some hard-boiled eggs. The takahe living in this district had to contend with a very severe and snowy winter, yet they seemed to survive, said Mr Williams. Thirteen pairs of birds, had been counted in the Takahe Valley and of these 12 pairs would lay eggs.

“They will lay approximately 20 eggs between them but hatch only about 11 chicks,” he said. “Of these, only three survive to breed. This is a fair mortality but not unusual and the takahe once raised safely usually live for seven or eight years. “We have no intention of bringing any birds out of the valley at present and if any bird is brought it will be to replace any that may die in captivity. At most only one would be brought.” he said.

Mr Williams’s talk was illustrated by numerous colour and black and white slides, a colour movie film, exhibits and a tape recording pf takahe calls. The movie film was supplied by Dr. C. A. Fleming.