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Miracle Chick Hatches: Rare Takahē defy odds in NZ
21 Dec
Summary
- A rare Takahē chick, believed to be infertile, has hatched at Zealandia.
- The chick is the first offspring from a pair thought incapable of breeding.
- This event boosts the critically endangered Takahē population, now at 500.
A rare Takahē chick, the first from a pair believed to be infertile, has hatched at Zealandia, a sanctuary near Wellington, New Zealand. This surprising arrival, discovered in November, brings renewed hope for the critically endangered flightless bird, with only around 500 takahē remaining. The chick's parents, Bendigo and Waitaa, arrived two years ago and did not breed successfully in 2024, leading staff to expect no offspring.
Conservation staff at Zealandia were astonished when they discovered the chick, confirming its existence via a trail camera after hearing faint cheeping. The chick, currently in its "dinosaur phase" with disproportionately large legs and a developing beak, is being doted on by its parents. Its presence is invaluable to the species' long-term survival, especially given the vulnerability of native New Zealand birds to introduced predators.
Zealandia, a fully fenced eco-sanctuary, typically lacks the specific grassland habitat required for takahē nesting, making this breeding success even more remarkable. This is not the first time takahē have surprised staff with unexpected chicks; a previous pair, thought to be past breeding age, also hatched a surprise chick in 2018, highlighting the resilience and unpredictable nature of this unique species.
