Zoo
Appears in 1 story · Last updated Oct 11, 2026
As of October 2026: Bred and released 8,874 wētāpunga (2014-2025)
An insect that can weigh as much as a mouse is officially on the rise in New Zealand. The wētāpunga, the world's heaviest insect, has grown from one remnant population on a single predator-free island to thousands across 10 wild sites, after a 15-year breeding programme released 11,000 of them.
Updated Oct 11
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