11,000 wētāpunga released over 15 years now thriving on two islands
New Zealand's giant wētāpunga insect is showing signs of recovery after a 15-year conservation effort involving captive breeding and translocation. Over 11,000 insects have been released across 10 predator-free sites, with wild-born generations now thriving.
Why it matters
This success story demonstrates the effectiveness of long-term, science-led conservation programs in reversing the decline of endangered species.
A giant insect that can grow to nearly 10cm and weigh as much as a mouse is showing signs of recovery after decades of decline.The wētāpunga, New Zealand’s largest giant wētā species, was once found across parts of the North Island but disappeared from the mainland after habitat loss and introduced predators drove its numbers down.According to the Department of Conservation (DOC), the species’ decline began after early European settlers cleared large areas of land for farming, destroying much of the wētāpunga's habitat. Introduced rats, stoats and other pests added further pressure, causing populations to fall dramatically and eventually disappear from all areas except Te Hauturu-o-Toi, also known as Little Barrier Island.By the 1990s, the species was considered endangered.
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