The discovery of a takahe nest at Orokonui Ecosanctuary may lead to a fertile pair of the birds being translocated to the enclosure.
The nest was found near a main walking track and a webcam was being set up so visitors could see the nest without disturbing the birds.
Orokonui's trust board chairman Neville Peat said while it was exciting that Quammen and Paku were incubating eggs, the pair had genetic issues indicating infertility, so the eggs were unlikely to be viable.
''It could be a couple of hundred years since the Dunedin area has seen takahe incubating eggs.''
The trust would talk to the Department of Conservation about getting a pair of fertile birds.
''Clearly, the habitat at Orokonui is conducive to takahe breeding.''
