Endangered New Zealand bird caught fighting ‘at risk’ reptile in rare footage

A video shows the large flightless takah bird in hot pursuit of the tuatara - but the tables soon turn

Two of New Zealand's most rare and beloved animals - a large flightless takah bird and an ancient tuatara reptile - have been captured chasing and nipping at one another during a bush-floor melee.

Nick Fisentzidis, a department of conservation ranger on the pest-free Tiritiri Matangi Island near Auckland, saw the takah attack the tuatara and quickly grabbed his phone to capture the rare footage.