One of the giant wētā moved to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. Photo: Supplied / Lucy Schultz
Almost 200 giant wētā have been moved from a breeding programme to a sanctuary in Waikato, in a bid to protect the critically endangered insects.
The Māhoenui giant wētā are one of the largest insects in the world, and are classified nationally critical due to serious threats.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has moved 193 of the insects to the sanctuary, where they were released by experienced wētā handlers into pre-selected locations across the area.
DOC senior biodiversity adviser Amanda Haigh said releasing the wētā to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari was a significant milestone in protecting the species.
She said it reflected a successful breeding programme for the insects.
The captive breeding programme at Ōtorohanga Kiwi house, followed earlier releases to the sanctuary in 2012 and 2013, DOC said.
"Releasing the precious offspring of captive wētā into a natural habitat at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari - free of predators and threats - is really rewarding for everyone involved," Haigh said.
"Our hope is they breed with offspring of those Māhoenui giant wētā released at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in 2012-13."
Sanctuary Mountain chief executive Helen Hughes said moving the insects was a powerful example of what could be achieved through strong conservation partnerships.
"Working alongside iwi, the Department of Conservation and Ōtorohanga Kiwi House, we're proud to support the recovery of this nationally significant species and once again contribute to the protection of Aotearoa's unique biodiversity."
Each wētā was checked and individually monitored to maximise survival and successful adaptation to the wild habitat, said Ōtorohanga Kiwi House wildlife manager Mathew Ronaldson.
"The captive breeding programme is the only one of its kind for this species, with every wētā released at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari the result of a carefully managed and intensive multi-year effort."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
