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When prey becomes predator: Weka filmed chasing stoat

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Tue, 10 Dec 2019, 5:36PM
A weka was filmed chasing a stoat, turning the tables on one of its main predators. (Photo / Twitter, PredatorFreeNZ)
A weka was filmed chasing a stoat, turning the tables on one of its main predators. (Photo / Twitter, PredatorFreeNZ)

When prey becomes predator: Weka filmed chasing stoat

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Tue, 10 Dec 2019, 5:36PM

A weka has gone viral after footage captured the brave bird doing its best to peck at one of its main predators in an incredible road chase.

In a spectacular turn of events, the weka, which is usually hunted by stoats, was seen chasing down its predator on an empty West Coast road.

The video was uploaded to Twitter by Predator Free NZ.

"Maybe weka are our secret force in achieving predator-free," Predator Free NZ cheekily captioned the video.

The tiny stoat is seen darting from side to side as the bird sprints after it.

It's not known if the weka managed to catch the stoat, with Predator Free NZ revealing the pair disappeared back into the bush.

"Just your typical West Coast," says the man filming.

"That's brilliant - get it weka get it!"

Twitter users took to the post to poke fun at the incident.

"They eat mice too yes? Great predator control agents!" said one woman.

"Can we aerial drop weka into problem pest areas?" wrote another.

The weka species is in decline due to predators such as stoats, cats, dogs and ferrets.

The weka is a protected species in New Zealand.

 

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