Takahē and tuatara filmed in encounter on Tiritiri Matangi Island

Thursday 15 May 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Thu 15 May 2025, 3:25pm

In this story Department of Conservation

A Department of Conservation ranger has captured rare footage of a takahē and a tuatara appearing to fight on the bush floor. The encounter took place on the pest-free Tiritiri Matangi Island near Auckland. The video shows the takahē seemingly attacking the reptile during the interaction.

How they headlined it

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1. 1NewsThu 15 May 2025, 12:15pm

   Watch: Rare footage of tuatara and takahē 'having a scrap' (opens in new tab)

2. StuffThu 15 May 2025, 12:52pm

   Watch: Tuatara and takahē ‘having a scrap’ on Tiritiri Matangi (opens in new tab)

3. RNZThu 15 May 2025, 1:03pm

   DOC ranger snaps rare footage of tuatara and takahē 'having a scrap' (opens in new tab)

4. Otago Daily TimesThu 15 May 2025, 3:25pm

   'Bit of a scrap': Takahē takes on tuatara (opens in new tab)