027 550 0611New Zealand has a range of native animals that display all the characteristics of island gigantism .
Island gigantism occurs when in the absence of constraints (such as predators) allow native species grow larger than in other places.
New Zealands native species evolved for 80 million years without any terrestrial mammals (except for the bats ). With the absence of mammalian predators plus insects and birds performing the ecological function of rodents allowed some of our native species the perfect opportunity to grow enormous and many of them did.
We once had the Moa and the Haast’s eagle (the biggest eagle in the world) which are now extinct but plenty of giants remain.
Around the lodge there are three examples of species which can reach gigantic sizes compared to elsewhere in the world
Kauri snails can reach an enormous size, capable of sucking up earthworms that are equally large by insect standards.
Giant weta are the classic example of species growing larger in the absence of predators, and filling the the ecological niche that rodents fill in other countries. Unfortunately when rodents were introduced they dined out on the weta, relegating many of the gentle giants to offshore islands.
Under revision
The need for conservation
It is apparent that the fate of the ecosystem in the Tangihua Ranges depends on putting in place conservation strategies which will significantly reduce or stop the damage inflicted by introduced pests. Most of the above species, if this is done will regenerate or can be successfully reintroduced and established.
DOC does not have enough funding to conserve the Tangihua forest, it is up to the community and others to step up.
We have set up two conservation programs so far
Tangihua Community Pest Control Area click here for more information
Conservation on DOC land click here for more information
Conservation education click here for more information
Volunteers options click here for more information
