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An aerial 1080 operation in Egmont National Park took a big toll on rat and possum numbers, results from monitoring stations showed.
But the June operation, carried out by the Department of Conservation, also caused the death of one of the 20 rare whio which are monitored in the national park.
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Native bird populations could be completely wiped out in some areas hit by this year's mega mast.
It's set to be the biggest seeding event in more than 40 years, but half-a-million hectares of forest will receive no 1080 predator control. The Department of Conservation says a recent 1080 drop in Fiordland was to curtail an exploding rat and stoat population.
The department dropped 1080 in the Arthur Cleddau area and Bowen catchment area on Tuesday. Scientists have begun investigating how to wipe out the last surviving pests in New Zealand's bold bid to rid itself of rats, stoats and possums by 2050.
A new $7.5 million programme, led by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research scientists, aims to overcome what's long been a headache for predator-busting efforts – how to eliminate that final 5 per cent which manage to hang on. After a court battle and a controversial 1080 drop last year, Kōkako’s haunting calls are returning to Hunua Ranges
Normally the fight to keep Hunua's kōkako alive is waged in native bush. Last year its fate was fought for in an Auckland courtroom. The rat population in a piece of pristine bush has exploded thanks to a plethora of beech tree seeds, forcing the Department of Conservation to make a 1080 drop.
But the glut of food means it can be difficult to get rats to eat the poison. The Department of Conservation is concerned after a higher percentage of rats than expected have survived the first 1080 drops intended to battle this years "mega mast".
This year's build-up of the rat population in New Zealand forests can be attributed to unusually high seed production, called a mast, experts have said. Whio, kereru, kiwi and New Zealand native bats will benefit from an aerial 1080 operation needed to eradicate bovine TB in the Ruapehu District.
The operation, over about 35,000ha, will take place at a time around late July when fine weather is predicted, OSPRI operations extension officer Phillip Dawson said. Birds and bats could be threatened with local extinction if the Department of Conservation (DOC) cannot make more aerial 1080 drops this mega-mast season.
Forest and Bird warns a plague of rats sweeping unchecked across parts of the country will be followed by an invasion of stoats by spring. Official maps released today have revealed the vast swathe of New Zealand wilderness under threat from a plague-fuelling "mega mast" - but officials say response plans can't be scaled up.
Forest & Bird is warning a nationwide rat plague is only about to get worse, and has pleaded with the Government and councils to increase their 1080 rat control programmes, before a stoat plague comes next. |
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