‘Miracle’ of Zealandia: chick is born to rare takahē pair thought to be infertile

Unexpected arrival is a boon for birdlife in New Zealand, where there are only 500 takahē left

‘Miracle’ of Zealandia: chick is born to rare takahē pair thought to be infertile

TL;DR

  • A rare takahē chick has hatched at Zealandia, a world's largest urban eco-sanctuary in New Zealand.
  • The parents, Bendigo and Waitaa, were not expected to breed due to their supposed infertility.
  • The chick's arrival is significant for the endangered takahē population, which numbers around 500.
  • Takahē are the world's largest living rail, flightless, and once thought extinct.
  • Zealandia is a fully fenced eco-sanctuary that helps native species thrive.