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From the Department of Conservation - The Pest Eradication
LATEST January 2010 - NewsIs there just the one cat remaining or are there several? It may well be just the last cunning survivor. DOC believes that this cat/s has survived as a result of eating only the muscle tissue of eradication victims. Brodificoum lodges in only small amounts in muscle tissue. Trappers have narrowed their search to the central/North western area of the islands. The luxuriant pasture growth the result of the temporary removal of farming stock from the island has provided an ideal cover for the cat and also the hedgehogs. The hedgehogs are finding plenty of food all to themselves now that the rats, mice, rabbits and stoats have gone. Their days, however, are definitely numbered. Click the link to view DOC's latest flyer 3 released 8 February 2010 November 2009 - NewsDOC reports that the eradication program is going exceptionally well. No Stoats, rats or mice have been seen or caught since the bait drop. No cats have been caught for 2 months now and only one rabbit has been seen (and caught) since the drop. Hedgehogs are still being caught by both the trapping teams and the dog team, but numbers are dropping considerably. Stock returned to Motutapu in mid October. MOEC and the Homebay Campground opened on the 1st of November as planned. Biosecurity checks of all school groups, ferries, freight and vehicles going out to Rangitoto and Motutapu islands have been stepped up with generally good compliance being demonstrated by all for the new Biosecurity Requirements for these islands. September 2009 - NewsDOC reports that the eradication program is going well. Following the bait drops the program is now moving into a phase of trapping. No rabbits have been seen for 3 weeks but the odd feral cat and hedgehog are still being found by the dog teams. It was unfortunate timing for the bait drop to coincide with the emergence of slug tetrodotoxin poisoning but DOC is confident there is no causal relationship. However, it has caused some negative PR which is unfortunate for what should be a very positive phase for the Motutapu project. Stock is due to return to the island in early October
Public Concern over wildlife deaths in the Hauraki Gulf - September 2009There has been much public concern about the recent media reports of dog, fish and other marine wildlife deaths in the Hauraki Gulf. A number of reports in the media have attempted to link the deaths with the aerial applicaion of rodent bait on Rangitoto and Motutapu. The Auckland Regional Public Health Service, MAF Biosecurity NZ, Auckland Regional Council, North Shore City Council and Auckland City Council are confident that the dog and marine deaths and the aerial use of brodifacoum are unrelated. Click here to read the Department of Conservation's fact sheet which addresses concerns
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