Book review
“Takahe – Bird of Dreams” by Alison Balance, published by Potion and Burton. Price $59.99. Reviewed by Tony Orman
Zoologist Alison Ballance and Nelson-based publishers Potton and Burton have produced a wonderful book in this tribute to one of New Zealand’s native bird, the takahe, once thought extinct but rediscovered by deerstalker “Doc” Orbell in 1949 in a remote Fiordland valley.
“Doc” Orbell was the founder of the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association and his deep interest in the bird life and in particular the takahe reflected the conservation ethics and ethos that hunters can have in wildlife and conservation.
“Doc” Orbell’s perseverance is testimony to the fact that deerstalkers can be champions of conservation ads shown by the “Save Manapouri” battle in the 1970s which featured deerstalkers in the front line.
This book has been timed to fit the 75th anniversary of the Takahe Recovery Programme. Takahe numbers are now estimated to exceed 500. True there have been setbacks, mixed success and at times disappointingly slow progress but overall there have been significant wins.
Takahe were twice classified as extinct but “Doc” Orbell’s discovery of the takahe colony in 1948 rebutted that. The bird was then classified as “nationally critical” but that has been since upgraded to “nationally vulnerable.”
There have been competing factors such as stoats predating. Although a friend who worked for the Wildlife Service with experience of the takahe in Fiordland said the adult birds were well capable of dealing a fatal blow to any stoat. He also worked at the Mt Bruce Wildlife Reserve where takahe were kept, and recalled a stoat that got inside the takahe enclosure and when confronted by takahe was panic stricken to escape.
The book often refers to competition from red deer in browsing but my ex-Wildlife Service friend said it tended to be exaggerated by some of the scientists. He did not view deer as a detrimental factor. He was however concerned at the handling of birds during the critical breeding season, by humans, i.e.departmental officers and scientists.
Many wildlife personalities of yesteryear emerge within this wonderful portrayal of a remarkable bird.
Zoologist Alison Ballance, already an established author, writes so well in an easy engaging style. Meticulously researched and adeptly told, supported with great photos and wonderfully produced, it gets a five star plus rating.
Very highly recommended.
Amazing discovery of the “lost’ takahe by a good keen man in “Doc” Orbell.
I just hope DoC don’t stuff it up by intruding with over-handling. I have to say I don’t have that much confidence in DoC.
Heaven forbid should DoC contemplate using 1080.
Obviously the takahe is equipped to deal to a stoat.
The book looks a beauty.