1080 and the protection of our natural environmentNew Zealand’s unique flora and fauna is highly vulnerable: it evolved over 80 million years with no browsing or predatory mammals.
Protecting our vulnerable species
New Zealand in its unspoilt state was an aviary. So it’s hardly surprising that introduced mammalian pests - brought here either to be domesticated, by accident, for hunting, for the fur trade, or to control other introduced pests – have driven some of our most vulnerable species to the brink of extinction. Killers of the night Possums, rats, stoats, ferrets and feral cats all kill both adult birds and chicks, raid nests for eggs and are well-established throughout New Zealand. They also compete for, and wipe out, critical food sources for birds such as supplies of berries, flowers, fruits and invertebrates [1]. 
Our native species at risk
Introduced predators prey on our native species that are in immediate danger of extinction such as the mohua, southern New Zealand dotterel and kakariki. They also prey on our acutely threatened Okarito brown kiwi, kaka and North Island kokako. Several of our nationally critical giant New Zealand snail species, Powelliphanta, and common native birds such as the tui, bellbird, fantail and whitehead are all also at risk with the abundance of introduced pests [2]. |
Special Issue: Feathers to Fur
Click to read pg 86-114 "Predation and other factors currently limiting New Zealand forest birds" 
Click to view larger image
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Click to view larger image
Our native tree species are also at risk
Introduced pests have also devastated our forest canopy and stripped vast tracts of native bush. Rata, kamahi, pohutukawa, mistletoe and fuchsia are particularly badly affected [3].
Introduced pests have also devastated our forest canopy and stripped vast tracts of native bush. Rata, kamahi, pohutukawa, mistletoe and fuchsia are particularly badly affected [3].
Before: Damage to native fuchsia from possums. After: 9 weeks of vegetation recovery following a 1080 operation
Photo: Horizons Regional Council
Photo: Horizons Regional Council
[1] Green, W. (2004). The use of 1080 for pest control. A discussion document. Published by the Animal Health Board and the Department of Conservation. Retrieved from www.doc.govt.nz.
[2] Department of Conservation (2014). Battle for our birds: Beach mast response 2014. Retrieved from www.doc.govt.nz.
[3] Forest and Bird (2002). Factsheet - Killing pests and saving forests. Retrieved from www.forestandbird.org.nz.
[2] Department of Conservation (2014). Battle for our birds: Beach mast response 2014. Retrieved from www.doc.govt.nz.
[3] Forest and Bird (2002). Factsheet - Killing pests and saving forests. Retrieved from www.forestandbird.org.nz.
