DOC's work with weta

Stephens Island giant weta

The Department of Conservation is currently involved in several weta translocation programmes, including one with the Mercury Island tusked weta, which is being bred by Landcare Research Ltd under contract to the Department. The idea is to produce enough individuals to start a new population on another island. Where there are already enough individuals to transfer directly, as in the case of the Mahurangi Island translocation, this is done.

In another programme to test transfer techniques, 50 common tree weta were shifted from one island to another in the Mercury group two years ago, with both the new population and the old carefully monitored to ensure the transfer caused no adverse effects. There are now plans to start a new population of the Little Barrier Island giant weta on the "open sanctuary" of Tiritiri Matangi in the Hauraki Gulf, where people could readily see them.

Recovery plan in action

The Department of Conservation Threatened Weta Recovery Plan was approved in 1998. The plan sets in place a series of steps that will promote the recovery of weta. It also outlines different management options, and a work plan.

The Long-term vision of the plan is:

'To maintain all Category A, B, C species and new species which qualify as threatened, in multiple self-sustaining populations."