MORE SNAILS

There are more carnivorous land snails in the Abel Tasman National Park than thought, a survey has found.

The rare Rhytida oconnori snail is found at only two sites, Abel Tasman and Golden Bay’s Parapara Peak.

The survey found there were 20 percent more in the park than thought.

Rats were the most common predator for the snail and its peer Powelliphanta hochstetteri hochstetteri.

More intensive snail monitoring is planned.

Project Janszoon Operations Manager Andrew Macalister says this survey has highlighted the need to extend predator control in the Park.