DSC_8065 Hochstetter's giant landsnail (Powelliphanta hochstetteri hochstetteri) ecologist Kath Walker examines the crushed and flattened remains of snails eaten by feral pigs. A thriving wild pig population in the national park threatens the declining native snail population. Abel Tasman National Park *
DSC_8096 Hochstetter's giant landsnail (Powelliphanta hochstetteri hochstetteri) ecologist Kath Walker walks through beech forest devoid of any understory, the habitat destroyed by grazing stock, and browsing deer. The forest litter is trampled by browsing animals, and also disturbed by regular pig-rooting. Such forests now provide little cover for giant native land snails living on the forest floor. The problems are exacerbated during summer droughts in the national park. Abel Tasman National Park *
11005-04607 Gillies giant landsnail (Powelliphanta gilliesi kahurangica) this very rare land snail subspecies seems restricted to a lowland forest site of less than 500ha near Kahurangi Point. Protection of its habitat has been secured through purchase by the NZ Nature Heritage Fund. Kahurangi Point, NW Nelson *
