Takahe (Porphyrio mantelli)

Takahe were considered extinct until the mid-70's when a small population was discovered clinging on to existance in a remote area of Fiordland. The current population is still only about 300 birds, but careful management, a captive breeding programme and re-introduction to predator-free islands such as Tiritiri Matangi means there is no immediate threat of extinction.

One of the Takahe on Tiritiri Matangi is a bit sociopathic. On the last morning of my visit, he came up and bit me on the knee when I was photographing some Whiteheads and wasn't paying particular attention to what he was doing. Definitely something I can recommend avoiding! Thankfully he didn't get a decent grip on me, but it still hurt and I had to spend the next 10 minutes fending him off with my tripod as he followed me down the road until I eventually gave him the slip by heading down the steps at the start of the Wattle Valley Track.

All photos taken on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005