The Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is home to 16 birds, including six takahē. Photo / Supplied
The public has less than three weeks to determine the future of the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and which birds will remain there.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) says the sanctuary’s much-loved takahē will stay, but it cannot confirm which other birds will.
After a review last year, DoC decided it would no longer manage the sanctuary, also known as Te Punanga Manu.
DoC acting operations manager Elicia Milne said there were no plans to rehome takahē pairs from the sanctuary.
But the department had not decided on a management plan for the other species.
“DoC is working through next steps, and we will communicate any changes once a decision has been finalised.”
The sanctuary is home to 16 birds: four pāteke/brown teal, two kōwhiowhio/whio, four Antipodes Island kākāriki, and six South Island takahē, two of which are chicks.
Now, DoC, regional development agency Great South, site owners Southland Fish & Game and iwi Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka have turned to the public for input, encouraging people to submit their ideas on the future of the park.
Bobbi Brown, manager of regional strategy for Great South, said there had already been 26 submissions in two days.
“I’m really impressed with some of the cool ideas that people have. It’s heartening to see people thinking beyond the square.
“It’s really good to see that the process is allowing people to be involved and have a say.”
The high number of submissions in such a short period showed that people didn’t want to lose the sanctuary, she said.
“It’s about keeping something that’s so valuable to people, but at the same time, looking into the future and how we can do it better.”
Anyone with feedback has been asked to share their thoughts through the feedback form on Great South’s website.
Submissions can be made until August 3.