The giant wētā is back: four generations born in the wild confirm a quiet comeback

The wētāpunga — a giant insect as heavy as a sparrow — was once close to disappearing. A captive-breeding programme led from Auckland Zoo has released thousands since 2014 onto predator-free islands and, more recently, fenced mainland sanctuaries, with support from Ngāti Manuhiri as guardians of the species. Monitoring has now recorded at least four generations born on two islands — the international benchmark that a released population has truly established itself. In all, more than 11,000 of the insects have been released.

SDG 15 · Life on land — Mechanism: institutional program