from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Greater Wellington Regional Council will conduct an aerial operation using 1080 to control possums in the Wainuiomata and Orongorongo water supply catchments later this year. The operation will occur between July and October 2005, when suitable weather allows.

A helicopter will be used to lay the pellets using global positioning (GPS) to ensure that they are only distributed within the catchments. Testing of the pellets has shown that they do not float, and will not be carried outside the catchment by river. There is a possibility that poisoned possum carcases may wash down the Orongorongo River in a flood event. Warning signs will be installed at the Catchpool car park and the driving access points to the Orongorongo Valley when the poison is laid. I would strongly recommend you not to take your dogs to your bach; alternatively, please take the following precautions with your dogs (see dog safety notes).

The pellet drop is a two-stage process. Firstly the non-toxic (pre-feed) cereal pellets are laid. Several days later, sodium monofluroacetate (1080) cereal pellets are laid.

During and following the operation the Wainuiomata and Orongorongo catchments will not be used for bulk water supply. Water will be taken from other sources until the Medical Officer of Health gives approval to re-open the catchments for water supply.

Yours faithfully

Ken Wright
Biosecurity Office ? Animals
Direct dial: 04 526 5327