Good news, with all indications pointing to the team having removed all predators from our new robust grasshopper enclosure.

The prehistoric looking grasshopper is restricted to the open gravel areas of the Mackenzie Basin. It doesn’t like grass or hop but it is nationally endangered and we think this is one of the first purpose built predator exclusion areas for insects in the world.

Contractors have been in the enclosure with thermal imaging gear and think the 6,000 sq m area is now predator free. Te Manahuna Aoraki will work in collaboration with Canterbury University students to study the robust grasshopper population inside the fence.