ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM WAIPAKIHI JUNE 2019 | VERSION 2.0

used to determine the level of control TB in the wildlife. TB infection has OVERVIEW required to eradicate TB. been identified in local wildlife of The TBfree programme is delivered neighbouring areas. In 2015, an infected The TBfree programme is delivered through TB Management areas (TMAs) pig, possum and ferret were identified through TB management areas (TMAs). and aims to control, and eventually in the Tūrangi area and in 2014, a Each TMA has a specific TB control plan eradicate, bovine tuberculosis (TB) TB infected pig was found in the designed to eradicate TB as effectively from by 2055. OSPRI’s adjoining Hatepe Lake area. as possible. main goals for TB control in the Waipakihi area are: This notice provides an overview of TB control work planned for this WAIPAKIHI • Maintain TB freedom in livestock TMA. It is not a formal notice of any The Waipakahi TMA is in the • TB freedom in possums by 2031 specific operation. All operation dates region and is located on the eastern provided are provisional and subject slopes of the three Central • TB freedom in the Waipakihi to consultation. volcanoes Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe, and TMA by 2031 Tongariro. The eastern side of the TMA The programme uses possum control, is in the Kaimanawa Forest Park and the regular herd testing and movement TB HISTORY Waipakihi river runs through the central restrictions to control TB. When This TMA has a long history with area of the TMA. The habitat in the TMA planning for operations wild animal TB infection in cattle herds. A cattle ranges from beech forest, alpine scrub surveys, TB history, herd testing results breeding herd was infected for many and high-altitude desert. There are few and past operation history are all years, indicating the presence of herds within this TMA.

OPERATIONAL TIMEFRAME Planned control and surveillance management activities are outlined in the table below.

TYPE OF HOW MANY CONTROL WHEN?* HECTARES? WHERE?

Deer Survey 2019/2020 42,000 Waihohonu

Hectares under control are indicative only and may change after consultation. * The operational year runs from 1 July – 30 June TMA Location

TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 2019/20 OPERATIONS

TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 ROAD TO TB ERADICATION

TESTING WILDLIFE We check the wildlife to see if TB is present in an area.

POSSUM CONTROL – YEAR ONE Possums spread TB. Getting numbers low will help stop TB.

KEEPING POSSUM NUMBERS LOW It’s really important to keep possum numbers low over multiple years to break the TB cycle. CONTROL DEER SURVEY TESTING WILDLIFE We test wildlife to check if Before an area can be classed as HISTORY TB still exists. The animals TB-free, surveys assess whether TB is will be checked for signs of There have been no possum control still present in wildlife. Deer surveys are TB. Samples may be grown operations completed in the Waipakihi sometimes undertaken to help decide in a laboratory. If TB is found, TMA. In 2017, deer surveys using TB presence or absence. Wild deer do you will be told by TBfree. helicopter shooting began in the not readily spread TB to other wild Waipakihi wilderness zone, in 2018 deer, so if an infected animal is found, it means TB has been contracted from this was continued and included deer TB ERADICATED samples from across the TMA submitted another species. In practice deer are normally sampled in addition to other by recreational hunters. more ‘TB sensitive’ species such as pigs and, to a lesser extent, possums. Where POSSUM deer are added to surveys, they normally make up a low percentage of animals POPULATION surveyed, compared with possums or ASSESSMENT pigs. Occasionally the only species readily available in an area is deer and Before control work is carried out, an when this occurs deer make up the assessment of the wildlife population entire survey. may be undertaken. Following control work, the possum population density may also be monitored to assess the THE METHOD operation’s success. From the results, DEER SURVEY OSPRI can assess whether further In areas where deer are the only possum control work needs to be available indicators of disease, OSPRI done in the area. contractors target deer and collect the survey data required. Deer surveys can involve specialist contractors TARGETING shooting and recovering deer samples POSSUMS or carcasses for examination. OSPRI will also include input from recreational Previous possum control and livestock hunters who provide deer samples with disease management has dramatically data on the location of the kill. In areas reduced the number of infected herds in where significant impact to recreational the Manawatu Whanganui and Waikato hunting is possible, OSPRI consults regions and good progress has been and, where possible, adjusts surveys to made towards disease eradication. reduce effects on recreational hunting.

TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 OSPRI contractors will be in contact CONSULTATION with affected landowners and occupiers OSPRI listens to feedback from before any work starts. communities, land occupiers and land users about proposed operations and notifies planned operations well TESTING HERDS CONTACT in advance so affected parties can Cattle and deer herds are monitored submit feedback about any possible for TB through a combination of herd DETAILS risks or sensitive areas that need to be testing and carcass inspection at OSPRI Hamilton Office managed. OSPRI will always seek the slaughter. The frequency of testing PO Box 9466 willing cooperation of land occupiers depends on the herd’s location, Waikato Mail Centre when TBfree programme work needs to management and TB history. Hamilton 3240 To check the testing frequency for be carried out on their land. Before any P 07 849 8915 operation begins, affected landowners your property visit ospri.co.nz/dcamap E [email protected] and occupiers will be contacted and visited by one of our contractors. The eradication activities in this Depending on the methods used and ACHIEVEMENTS TMA are delivered by specialist the location of the operations, consents TO DATE wildlife and pest control Contractors employed by OSPRI. The contact may be required from the Department OSPRI has made significant progress details for the contractor delivering of Conservation and Ministry of Health. towards eradicating TB from vector risk are below. areas (VRA) across New Zealand. Since WHAT NEXT? 2011, VRA status has been revoked from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research 2.02 million hectares, with 7.78 million P 03 321 9844 Dates and control methods for the hectares in 14 areas still to be cleared E [email protected] proposed operations are provisional before freedom from disease in wildlife and subject to consultation. can be declared.

TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463