1080: The facts
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Case studies

Picture
NZ Native Robin (Source: Tony Wills via Creative Commons License)
Robins in Silver Peaks, Otago

Researchers found that aerial 1080, applied in the Silver Peaks region in Otago, shows that the pre-fed 1080 operation at Silver Peaks had no negative effect on the robins, 1080 knocked the possum and rat numbers down to almost zero, and robins’ experienced relatively high breeding success when predator numbers were low.

Silver Peaks (Aerially applied 1080 site)
  • All banded birds alive 16 days after the 1080 operation
  • 67 per cent of monitored nests at the site successfully produced at least one fledgling. 
Silversteam (control site)
  • All monitored birds in the control site were re-sighted
  • Only 8 per cent of monitored nests successfully producing at least one fledgling.

More information
  • Effects on South Island robins from pest control using aerially applied 1080 poison

Hurunui, Hawdon and Eglinton Valleys

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.

More information
  • Poison pays off for endangered NZ bird (One News)
  • Catlins mohua population 'recovering well' after 1080 drop

Picture
Mohua, also known as the yellowhead (Source: unknown)

Picture
Silvereye (Source: nzbirdsonline.org.nz)
Rangitoto Island

Prior to a 1990 possum eradication programme using 1080, Rangitoto Island's pohutukawa forest was dead and dying. Rangitoto is now a blaze of healthy pohutukawa, flowering throughout the summer.  Monitored bird life records show that since possums were eradicated there are 10 times more tui and silvereye living on the island. Honey production on the island pre-1080 possum control was 7kg per hive. One year later it rose to 25kg per hive, and two years later it was 50kg per hive.

More information
  • Birds on Rangitoto Island (NZ Journal of Ecology)
  • Honey production on Rangitoto

Kapiti Island

In 1983 Kapiti Island was made possum-free. This program involved two thirds ground control covering the accessible areas and aerial application on inaccessible areas (around 17% of the island).  Aerial 1080 was attributed to killing approximately 1500 possums throughout this operation. Native vegetation kohekohe, rata, and fuchsia rapidly recovered. By 1988 monitored native bird densities had doubled.

More information
  • The eradication of possums from Kapiti Island, New Zealand
  • Eradication of brushtail possums on Kapiti Island. Techniques and methods
Picture
Kohekohe (Source: Kapiti Island nature Tours)

Powelliphanta snail
Powelliphanta snail (Source: Nga Manu)
Kahurangi National Park

Kahurangi National Park was suffering declining populations of native snails.  In 1997 a major aerial 1080 targeting was undertaken. Pre-1080, there were 54 snails found on a 500sq m grid. One year after 1080 was applied, 147 snails were found on the same plot.

More information
  • 1080 poison helps native snails

Tongariro Forest

Nationwide studies show that on average only 5% of kiwi chicks survive to adulthood.  Prior to an aerial 1080 application in Tongariro Forest in 2001, 32 kiwi chicks were radio-tagged. After the 1080 programme, 40% of the radio-tagged chicks survived to adulthood.35

More information
  • Kiwis for kiwi - threats
  • Survival of radio tagged kiwi after 1080 operation
Kiwi Chick
Kiwi chick in nest (Source: Nga Manu)

Pueoroa Forest
Pureora Forest (Source: Thomas Camp via Creative Commons License)
Pureora Forest Park

In Pureora Forest Park 20 kaka were radio-tracked in an area to be treated with aerial 1080 in 2001.  In nearby Waimanoa Forest, which was not to be treated with 1080, nine kaka were radio-tracked. In the area where 1080 was used, all 20 birds survived that season. Of the nine birds tagged in the untreated area, five were killed by predators that same season.37

More information
  • From logging to conservation

Whirinaki Forest

During a 1998 to 2002 study in Whirinaki Forest 17 kaka and 15 kereru were radio tagged and monitored throughout an aerial 1080 operation, and for two weeks afterwards. All of the 17 kaka and 15 kereru survived in the area treated with 1080.38

More information
  • Increasing kereru counts in Kaitoke Regional Park
  • Effects of a 1080 operation on kaka and kereru
Kereru
Native Kereru (Source: Philip Poole via Creative Commons License)

Kaka
Native Kaka (Source: Janice McKenna - Zealandia)
Kaka

In total, 73 kaka have been radio-tagged and monitored through four 1080 drops.  In two studies they were monitored for a year afterwards.  Every single bird lived.39

More information
  • Fiordland Kaka population boost
  • Project Kākā - Tararua Nature Recovery

New Zealand Falcons

In a study on the breeding success of New Zealand falcons in a pine plantation over three breeding seasons, it was found that New Zealand falcon numbers in the Kaiangaroa Forest increased from 20 to 36 pairs following aerial and ground 1080 control.40

More information
  • NZ birds of prey - Native
NZ Falcon
NZ Falcon (Source: Nga Manu)

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