Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
New Zealand
| Animals/Wildlife
The establishment of the Trust in 1995 was a major breakthrough in the conservation and recovery of native wildlife on mainland New Zealand, reversing a decline that has lasted for at least 700 years. It was a radical idea that turned out to be a major breakthrough in the conservation and recovery of native wildlife on mainland New Zealand. The sanctuary comprises 225 hectares (approximately one square mile) of regenerating lowland forest and wetlands protected by a unique 8.6 km predator-proof fence, specially designed to exclude non-native mammals ranging from hedgehogs to possums. It is the most accessible of New Zealand’s celebrated mainland conservation islands and is a safe haven for some of our most iconic and endangered native animals, including tuatara, little spotted kiwi, saddleback, hihi and giant weta.