Wallabies Spread Across 200,000 Hectares in New Zealand, Threatening Ecosystems

Wallabies introduced to New Zealand over a century ago have expanded their range to more than 200,000 hectares in the Bay of Plenty region. The animals pose a significant ecological threat by consuming native seedlings, ferns, and grasses, while also damaging plantation trees. They further strain agricultural land by competing with livestock for pasture. Authorities warn that without intervention, wallabies could cover one-third of New Zealand by 2065, causing an estimated $84 million in annual damage.