Story: Threatened species

Mahoenui giant wētā sanctuary

Mahoenui giant wētā sanctuary

This is the home of one group of Mahoenui giant wētā – a patch of prickly gorse at Mahoenui in the North Island’s King Country. A fence keeps out grazing stock. This wētā was probably once widespread in lowland forests of the northern North Island. Although hedgehogs, rats and possums prey on them, the gorse seems to give some protection.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10043253
Photograph by Gregory H. Sherley

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, 'Threatened species - Case histories', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/14106/mahoenui-giant-weta-sanctuary (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, published 24 Sep 2007