The South Branch of Hurunui, Hawdon and Eglinton valleys all had substantial populations of mohua. All three populations declined during the 1990s and all collapsed to very low levels during a rat and stoat plague over the 1999-2000 season. After a comprehensive pest control programme, including aerial 1080 application in 2006 mohua are now abundant in areas that received treatment but have declined elsewhere. Watch the news story |