[Shane]

From the DOC web site

http://www.doc.govt.nz/Whats-New/presult.asp?prID=1099

also see Johns posting

https://wtmc.org.nz/forums/read.php?f=5&i=988&t=988

Have your vote on the issue here:
https://www.wtmc.org.nz/whatsnew.php

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DOC to knock back possums in Tararuas
26 jun 2003

The Department of Conservation intends to control the devastating impacts of possums on forests and wildlife in the Otaki area of Tararua Forest Park with an aerial control operation due to get under way in the first available fine period from 1 July this year.

The operation will cover 13,000 hectares around and north of Otaki Forks. The area includes the upper section of Otaki catchment, Waitewaewae catchment and Waitatapia catchment. Waiopehu hut, Te Matawai hut, Dracophyllum hut, Nichols hut, Oriwa Bivvy and Parawai Lodge are either on the boundary, or close to the boundary of the operational area. Waitewaewae hut is near the centre of the operational area.

Programme Manager Colin Giddy said this operation followed on from similar, successful treatments of large areas within the park in previous years. Possum control has proved extremely effective in improving overall forest health. This is the second time that the Otaki operational area has been treated. Monitoring in 2003, showed that possum numbers have increased to almost the same levels as to prior to the 1996 operation. ?It?s a reminder that possums keep on breeding and we have to keep on knocking the population back down to low levels to protect conservation values?.

Mr Giddy said the aerial application of baits would take two days. A helicopter with an underslung hopper will be used to distribute cereal baits containing small amounts of the toxin sodium monofluoroacetate -1080. Baits will not be applied within 50 metres of huts. Baits are about 3 cm long, cylinder shaped, dyed green and lured with cinnamon, making them unappealing to birds but attractive to possums.

?Surveys have shown that many native plants and animals in the Tararuas are at risk from possums including native tree fuchsia, northern rata, haumakaroa and native mistletoe. Tree fuchsia (kotukutuku), a favoured food of possums, is a key species in the park. It helps stabilise landslides in the high country and limits the amount of gravel entering rivers. It is also an important source of fruit and leaves for kereru, kaka, tui and bellbird.?

?With fewer possums, the birds have less competition for food and are in better shape to breed successfully.? Possums also eat bird eggs?, chicks and occasionally adult birds. Other birds expected to benefit are kakariki, grey warbler, fantail, silvereye, tomtit, kereru, kingfisher, rifleman, whitehead, pipit, welcome swallow, shining cuckoo and longtailed cuckoo.

This operation complements possum control undertaken by Greater Wellington and Horizon Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Councils to reduce the incidence of bovine TB.

The Department has informed adjoining landowners, tangata whenua, local recreation and environmental groups, schools and police. Resource consents and Medical Officer of Health approvals have been obtained. DOC also has an internal approval process to ensure the operation meets its own standards for pesticide use. This includes issuing public notices and erecting warning signs at main public entry points, huts and tracks leading into the treatment area. Bait will be cleared from main walking tracks within two days of being applied.

?There is no risk to people visiting the treated area providing they do not eat the bait?, said Mr Giddy. ?However, it is not advisable to allow unsupervised young children into the area and dogs are prohibited until further notice.? Dogs are extremely susceptible through either eating bait or from scavenging on poisoned carcasses. The area will remain hazardous to dogs until baits and possum carcasses have decomposed. Carcass decomposition is expected to take about six months, from bait application, therefore dogs will not be permitted into the area till 1 April 2004.

Mr Giddy said ground control is not feasible for large areas of steep country and dense forest in the middle of the range. ?Aerial control in an area like this can be completed within a short timeframe and is much more cost effective than any other possum control technique currently available.?

The operation would result in about 250 baits being applied per hectare or about one teaspoon of the toxin per hectare as only 0.15 percent of the bait is 1080.

?The 1080 compound is water soluble and quickly broken down in water by common bacteria, fungi and algae. The active ingredient, fluoroacetate, is a naturally occurring toxin found in several plants and in tea and guar gum – an additive in ice cream.

Mr Giddy said DOC and other agencies were researching alternative control methods. ?In the meantime 1080 is used because it is the only chemical currently available which is both safe enough to use in aerial operations and effective against possums. Monitoring throughout New Zealand has shown that the aerial application of cereal 1080 bait will generally benefit native plants and animals.? Ends

For more information contact Colin Giddy or Ian Cooksley

Department of Conservation, Kapiti Area, Phone 04 296 1112

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