PREDATOR RESPONSE SOUTHERN RUAPEHU WHIO Without predator control: • The Central Plateau population of Whio, which are one of the largest in NZ, are at risk from Stoats predation With predator control: • Whio populations in the central plateau have bumper breeding seasons after every aerial 1080 operation • After a recent 1080 operation in 2017 in Tongariro Forest, a record number of 223 ducklings were produced from 104 pairs of Whio • Whio are re-establishing on the TARGETING POSSUMS TO and movement restrictions, to achieve Mangawhero Stream in Ohakune, PROTECT NATIVE SPECIES bovine TB eradication goals. Information due to regular predator control gathered from wild animal surveys, DOC and OSPRI are collaborating recent and historic findings of TB in to protect native wildlife and wild animals, herd testing results and eradicate bovine TB from the Southern Ruapehu region. the operational history of the region are used when planning operations. Reducing and keeping the possum TBfree eradication goals are: population low reduces the risk of TB being spread and will increase • TB freedom in cattle and deer herds the survival rate of the vulnerable by 2026 species in the region. • TB freedom in possums by 2040 The TBfree programme uses possum control, along with regular herd testing • Biological eradication of TB by 2055 KERERU With predator control: Without predator control: • Kereru increase significantly after • Kereru breeding success is aerial 1080 operations. Kereru counts significantly impacted by rat in Rangataua Forest pre-1080 were and possum predation during 0.5 calls/hour and increased to 3.3 the nesting stage calls/hour post-1080 TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 Proposed boundary for aerial 1080 control (subject to consultation) PEKAPEKA Without predator control: With predator control: • Bats are highly susceptible to • The Rangataua Forest has the largest predation by rats, stoats and cats population of short-tailed bats in the • In Rangataua Forest, a feral cat found country – these will be protected by a bat roost tree, and killed 100 of the aerial 1080 and stoat trapping DOC’S WORK IN bats in the space of just one week RANGATAUA FOREST Rangataua Forest covers 10,000 hectares on the southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu. The area is ecologically MISTLETOE unique – it is the largest forested lava Without predator control: With predator control: flow in New Zealand. It also contains • This highly endangered flowering • One of the biggest populations of an almost-complete range of forest plant, which grows on beech mistletoe in the country is found in and sub-alpine native plants. trees, is highly susceptible to Rangataua Forest. Predator control The forest is home to a high number possum browsing will ensure this population is protected of rare species – the North Island’s • Local extinctions can occur with the control of possums largest mistletoe population and when predator numbers • Possum control significantly reduces the largest known population are high mortality and dieback of mistletoe (about 8,000) of short-tailed bats. There are also populations of North Island brown kiwi, whio (blue duck), karearea (bush falcon) kaka and ENDANGERED SHRUBS kakariki as well as other forest birds Without predator control: With predator control: such as rifleman, kereru, whitehead and North Island robin. It is also • Browsing pests wipe out food • One of the largest populations home to endangered wetland sources for birds and insects of Pittosporum turneri occurs orchids and the unique Pua o te and can disrupt forest ecosystems in the central plateau reinga (parasitic woodrose). • The central plateau has the highly • Monitoring of this has shown unique and endangered shrubs, such that with regular aerial 1080 DOC’s work in Rangataua Forest as Pittosporum turneri, Melicytus operations, possum browse involves controlling pests such flexuosus, and Wall’s Coprosma are on these plants decreased as stoats and rats, which prey on all highly palatable to possums to 0% endangered birds and bats, as well as controlling possums which destroy native plants. Work is also carried out monitoring the health of NORTH ISLAND BROWN KIWI the bat, kiwi and endangered plant populations, as well as weed control Without predator control: With predator control: in the wetlands and alpine areas. • 9 out of every 10 kiwi chicks die • The significant kiwi populations before they reach breeding age found in the central plateau will Key goals : • Stoats and ferrets are major benefit from the predators removed • Improve the health of predators of kiwi by this 1080 operation Rangataua Forest • Ferrets have killed 50 adult • A long running study of kiwi chick • Maintain a large population radio-tagged kiwi in Tongariro survival in Tongariro Forest has shown of short-tailed bats Forest over the last decade that aerial 1080 operations significantly increase kiwi chick survival up to 81%, • Maintain a healthy population and there is higher kiwi chick survival of mistletoe for two seasons post 1080 MONITORING Ohakune DOC staff, local Iwi, a Iwi undertakes field activities and of rodent and invertebrate population local research institute, and OSPRI monitoring with local DOC staff trends. The project results will be are working together to assess the providing on site support. Monitoring used to provide a better understanding environmental impact of aerial 1080 data are sent to the local research of the pest control needs to protect pest control operations in Tongariro institute for collation and analysis. Taonga Species in the region for National Park, Rangataua Forest The project aims to gather long term the future. conservation area, and Karioi Forest. data on the year-to-year variability TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Warning signs will be placed at all area for human or pet consumption. WHAT TO main access points to the operational It’s an offence to sell meat products area and everyone must follow the that have been exposed to 1080. DO IF YOU cautions on the signs. There’s no Hunting can resume approximately SUSPECT health risk when using this area as four months following the control work. POISONING long you follow these instructions: Please observe these rules whenever Do not handle any bait or allow children you see warning signs about the Contact your local hospital to wander unsupervised. Cereal baits pesticide. Warning signs indicate that or doctor, or dial 111 pesticide residues may still be present containing 1080 are dyed green. in the baits or carcasses. When the National Poisons Centre Do not hunt or take game from within a signs are officially removed, you can 0800 POISON (764 766) two kilometre radius of the operational resume normal activities in the area. If a domestic animal is poisoned, contact a local Do not bring dogs into the area until the veterinarian. warning signs have been officially removed. Dogs are particularly susceptible to 1080. They must not be allowed access to bait or poisoned carcasses which remain toxic to dogs until they have fully decomposed. Free dog muzzles will be provided on request. Please contact OSPRI on 06 353 2710 to obtain a muzzle. TIMEFRAME FURTHER The operation will begin in July with a prefeed application, INFORMATION followed by a toxic application. Date will be weather dependent. OSPRI PLANNING Palmerston North Office A contractor will be doing the work on behalf of OSPRI’s P 06 353 2710 TBfree programme. Before the operation, affected landowners and occupiers will be contacted and visited by the contractors. E [email protected] They will discuss boundary issues, water supply safety and W ospri.co.nz the management of any risks to dogs and livestock. Consents from Landowners, Iwi, the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Health are required for this operation. Affected Department landowners and occupiers will be contacted again before the of Conservation operation starts, notices will be published in local newspapers Ohakune Office and warning signs will be placed at all likely access points to the operational area. PO Box 10, Ohakune, 4625 P 06 385 0010 THERE IS NO RISK TO PUBLIC DRINKING WATER Contractor Biodegradable 1080 is highly soluble and does not persist in Epro Ltd water or soil. Local health authorities apply strict conditions to aerial operations so that drinking water supplies are not P 0800 ASK EPRO contaminated. Safety has been confirmed by tests on several E [email protected] thousand water samples taken after aerial 1080 operations over many years. TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463 .