New Zealand – Prehistoric Rivals – 3sat

In New Zealand, animals have evolved over generations into unique giants. The wetabonga, a type of grasshopper, is considered the heaviest insect in the world. On Little Barrier Island, Department of Conservation staff are experiencing firsthand that the heavily armored insect, though menacing looking, is a gentle giant. In New Zealand there were no mammals growing, but there were larger birds than anywhere else in the world. The giant Haast’s eagle was soaring in the air, making the giant moa its preferred prey. Only with the arrival of humans did two species of birds become endangered and eventually became extinct. Another New Zealand giant swims in mountain lakes and rivers: the New Zealand long-finned eel. It reaches 2 meters in length and can weigh up to 40 kg. It has been a fearsome hunter for more than 23 million years. His sense of smell is much better than that of the great white shark. Since its existence – like that of all other giants – is now threatened, scientists are investigating the secrets of its reproduction. Within about 800 years, humans and their introduced animals pushed New Zealand’s giants to the brink of extinction. He has to do everything to ensure their survival. Ages ago, subterranean forces isolated the Pacific island nation of New Zealand, and continue to alter its appearance today. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes do not allow him to rest. Deep fjords, glacier-capped mountains, and ancient forests provide a habitat for creatures found nowhere else. Some have remained virtually unchanged since prehistoric times, and others have adapted to their environment in unusual ways.