Translocation of powelliphanta
Watch the documentary
The story
In June of 2022 35 “nationally critical” endangered powelliphanta (native carnivorous) land snails were translocated to the Sanctuary, followed by an additional nine snails in September of 2022. The first snails were gathered in the Maitai Valley and the Roding Water Reserve between 12-26 May 2022, and released in the Sanctuary on 17 June 2022. A second collection were gathered in the Rocks Hut/Coppermine Saddle area during 5-7 September, and nine additional powelliphanta were translocated/released in the Sanctuary on 8 September 2022.
Our short (approx. 7 minute) video documents the process of translocating these fascinating and rarely seen native snails.
Our thanks for external expert powelliphanta advice from Ian Millar, and Dr. Kath Walker of the Department of Conservation.
Our thanks also to Fraser Heal for the video production, and to all the staff and volunteers involved in collecting and translocating these precious taonga to the safety of the Sanctuary.
What is a successful translocation?
Establishment is achieved when a population has become self-sustaining. Depending on the release environment and species involved, this may take several years, this is particularly the case with a species such as powelliphanta which are slow to reproduce.
The translocation process
In total, we located and translocated 44 snails in 2022 to the Sanctuary, these were located in the Rocks Hut/Coppermine Saddle vicinity, in the Roding Water Reserve and from Ngati Koata land forestry land in the Maitai Valley; the Sanctuary has permission from the Department of Conservation to locate an additional six powelliphanta at some point in the future.
Financial support
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