"New Zealand Takahe"
Size: 12"x14" - 305 mm x 355 mm
Watercolor on Arches hot pressed 140 lbs (300 gsm) watercolor paper
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

Our son Glen is a scientist with Dept of Conservation in Te Anau. He is in charge of the Burwood Bush breeding unit which is used to hatch and rear this very endangered native New Zealand species of  bird - the Takahe.

This bird was once thought to be extinct but in 1948 there was a small number discovered in the Murcheson Mountains near Te Anau, South Island New Zealand. Since then DOC have managed to increase the population to around 280 birds. This is the entire population of these birds so Glen and his team are dedicated to increasing the number of this bird which has the most incredibly beautiful blue and green plumage. It was a privilege to be able to sit and paint, study and sketch these amazing creatures that were on the brink of extinction.

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