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NESince the introduction of predators in the 19th century, weta populations have seen a significant decline across New Zealand. Possums, rats, mice, hedgehogs, cats, and stoats have led to many species of weta being considered at risk of extinction.
Otorohanga Kiwi House is located south of Hamilton on the North Island of New Zealand and has been operating as a wildlife sanctuary for more than fifty years. They have a breeding program for the Mahoenui Giant Weta, one of eleven giant weta species in New Zealand. The Mahoenui Giant Weta is a locally native species of weta discovered in 1962, initially found on just a five-hectare piece of Tawa forest on the edge of King Country in Waikato. In 1987, a second population was found on farmland nearby, which was covered in introduced gorse.
The Department of Conservation purchased the farmland and turned it into a weta sanctuary. Amazingly, the wild gorse on the farmland seems to keep out rats and possums, while introduced goats browsing seems to help the regrowth of the gorse. So, it’s a unique scenario where two introduced pest species (gorse and goats) keep a third species (weta) safe from two other introduced species (possums and rats).
However, despite the success of the nearby wildlife sanctuary, breeding programs are critical to the long-term survival of the species. This is where the Otorohanga Kiwi House has become so vital to the Mahoenui Giant Weta.
Check out our previous reel about how they’re making a real difference to Giant Weta breeding!
📸: @oto_kiwihouse
@newzealandconservationstories
