New Zealand’s heaviest insect is recovering. Gentoo penguins were long grouped as one species; new findings spotlight diversity and resilience.
New Zealand’s wētāpunga, the world’s heaviest insect, has moved from endangered to nationally recovering thanks to a large breeding and reintroduction programme. Eleven thousand individuals have been released into predator-free sites, with self-sustaining populations now established on several islands. The program aims to boost overall conservation of native invertebrates.