Mega Rat shocks Conservationists in Wellington

November 21, 2024

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A gigantic rat measuring 400mm long and weighing 523g has astonished conservationists in Wellington, New Zealand.

The dead rat, believed to have been poisoned, was discovered in Prince of Wales Park by Sandra Haluza from Predator Free Wellington. Experts are calling it the largest rat ever found by their team.

Haluza initially thought the rat was a kitten due to its size. “I did a double take when I saw it on the side of the road,” she said. Norway rats, like this one, are much larger than the common ship rats usually found in urban areas. While ship rats typically weigh 200-300g, Norway rats can reach up to 400g, making this one exceptionally large.

Rats pose a significant problem in Wellington, where Predator Free Wellington focuses on controlling them to protect the environment. The team believes that eliminating large rats like this “mega rat” helps other native species thrive. However, Haluza warned that other similar-sized rats might still be out there.

“For it to get that big, it must have been eating a lot, likely impacting other species,” she explained. Bigger rats often evade traps, so this catch is especially valuable for their conservation efforts.

What’s next for the mega rat? It will undergo an autopsy for research before being taxidermied and added to Predator Free Wellington’s collection as a unique specimen.

Article written by Milli Banbury

This article was written using AI as an assistive tool for research, writing, and proofreading.
The te reo Māori version of this article was translated with AI assistance. While care has been taken to keep it accurate, if you spot anything that doesn't read quite right, please let us know

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Recall Questions

Thinking questions

Digital Thinking

Room 4 planted a garden behind their classroom. They watered the seeds, pulled out weeds, and watched small green shoots appear. Some plants grew vegetables, and others grew bright flowers. The children measured the plants each week and wrote down what they noticed. By the end of the term, the garden had changed a lot. The class learned that plants need care, sunlight, and time to grow well.

What is the main idea of this passage?

The class only measured the garden once. The children liked flowers more than vegetables. The plants grew quickly because of the weeds. The class planted a garden and learnt how plants grow.