Prehistoric "extinct" bird returned to the wild in New Zealand

[Catherine]

Takahe are a large flightless bird that was declared extinct in 1898. They were rediscovered in 1948. 
First eggs were gathered and incubated and then the birds were bred in captivity. It has taken years of work to increase their numbers.
They were first released to island sanctuaries. Now they are being released on traditional Maori land, where once they wild. They are introducing a number of birds at a time. It is hoped they will establish themselves and multiply.

Sadly introduced predators must be eliminated for the sake of all of New Zealand's flightless birds.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/...aland-wild

It is amazing that the birds were found after being declared extinct for so long. There is hope for other species that we think are extinct.
This conservation project has been going on a long time. It is finally paying off. There are enough birds to risk releasing them fully to the wild.

This is very much like the California Condor Project, but this one must have come first.
The technique of raising chicks with puppets is brilliant. It keeps them wild and not imprinted on humans.