Takahē Return to the Rees
Once thought extinct, takahē are making a bold return to the wild — this time in the breathtaking Rees Valley.
51 of these rare, flightless birds have been released into a newly protected landscape, thanks to a massive collaborative effort led by Southern Lakes Sanctuary in partnership with DOC Takahē Recovery, the Scott family of Rees Valley Station, Ngāi Tahu, Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust and many others.
Restoring a wild future
This return is only possible because of years of dedicated predator control. Since 2022, our team has worked tirelessly to transform the Rees into a safe haven:
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596 traps installed
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1,947 predators removed
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5,722 trap checks completed
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Regular camera and tracking tunnel monitoring
These efforts have transformed the Rees into the largest area of non-public conservation land in New Zealand currently supporting wild takahē.
A population with room to grow
With additional takahē releases scheduled, it’s expected that up to 80 birds could inhabit the valley by the end of 2025. Longer term, the surrounding catchment has the potential to support up to 500 birds — a number that could more than double the current national wild population within the next decade.
It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when landowners, communities and conservation groups come together.
This progress is only the beginning
Ongoing predator control and monitoring are essential to give these taonga the best chance of survival—and to protect the many other threatened species that call this place home, from kea and pīwauwau (rock wren) to pekapeka (bats) and braided river birds.
Kā mihi maioha
A huge thank you to our incredible partners: DOC Takahē Recovery, RealNZ, Impact100, Lotteries, Stout Trust, Patagonia, QLDC, Central Lakes Trust, Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust, AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand and Heli Glenorchy.
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Posted in: Projects