Catlin – the Lioness
Catlin
Female
Hatch date: 7 November 2005
Catlin is a matriarch of the takahē breeding programme, successfully raising 11 chicks.
Like her partner Shadowfax, she originated from the Murchison Mountains and was puppet raised by the rangers at the Burwood Takahē Centre.
She is a devoted mother and like a lioness she fiercely protects her young, both biological and foster chicks.
Shadowfax – the Noble
Shadowfax
Male
Hatch date: 25 November 2008
One for the Lord of the Rings fans – Shadowfax the takahē, brought down from the Murchison Mountains as a 10 day old chick, has a majestic air about him.
He likes to find a high point and watch over his family group with interest as hierarchies are tested. But like any good dad, he knows when to step in to ensure peace is restored.
Hyde – the Sanctuary Rep
Hyde
Female
Hatch date: 31 October 2010
Hyde was hatched by Hauhanga and Matariki at the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.
Hyde represents the invaluable contribution the network of 17 island and mainland takahē sanctuary sites make to the Takahē Recovery Programme. Through their success more takahē are being produced than ever and more birds, like Hyde, are able to be released into the wild.
Tametame – the Adventurer
Tametame
Male
Hatch date: 13 November 2010
Tametame was born (although technically hatched) to be free.
He is always off on an adventure - much to dismay of his partner Hyde. He made quick work on the new internal fences at the Burwood Takahē Centre, escaping into the neighbouring pen and causing quite a raucous.
So exploring his new home in Kahurangi will suit Tametame down to the ground.
Scoop – the Pioneer
Scoop
Male
Hatch date: 28 October 2016
Scoop gets his name from the nickname of the young journalist who reported the story of Dr Orbell rediscovering the takahē in the Murchison Mountains in 1948. He filed the story late one day, unbeknown to him that it would make international news.
So Scoop the journalist was there at the beginning of the takahē recovery story and now Scoop the takahē is here at the beginning of establishing a new wild takahē population.
Ehara – the Surprise Chick
Ehara
Female
Hatch date: 9 November 2016
Ehara, meaning 'surprise' was aptly named as she was produced from her presumed infertile parents Paku and Quammen.
Making the news as a miracle chick she was an unexpected but welcomed addition to the takahē population.
Raised by her foster parents at the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, we hope Ehara will go on to successfully contribute to building the Kahurangi takahē population.
* Sponsorship of individual takahē are not exclusive. Multiple people can sponsor the same bird. As takahē are a taonga (treasured) species to New Zealand Māori, the sponsorship is symbolic and does not entitle people any ownership of the birds.