From the Department of Conservation - The Pest Eradication

DOC night time hedgehog hunting on Motutapu. Pic: Department of Conservation.

• Nearly 300 hedgehogs have been caught since the operation began and a more intensive trap network has recently
  been established to target survivors. The number being caught is tapering off which bodes well for eventual eradication. Only 1 hedgehog has been trapped since April 2010. Hopefully they are no more.

The recent discovery of mouse droppings in the Reid Homestead resulted in a full scale incursion response implementation.  
No mice were trapped and Jak, the rodent detection dog didn't have any luck either.  No more signs have been found and
the mystery remains.

The discovery highlights the importance of checking boats, equipment and supplies prior to departure for the island.  To reduce
further the risk of reinvasion, a rodent proof facility is planned for Home Bay. This will allow camping gear and food supplies to
be unpacked with less risk of pests establishing on the islands

Kakariki, bell birds and pateke were expected to re-colonise the island but the speed at which they have done so is phenomenal.
The return of these species provides an early but extremely positive sign that the island's ecosystems are on the path to recovery.

January  2010 - News

Is 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
Removing_pests_from_Rangitoto__Motutapu_-_a_progress_report_Feb_2010.pdf

November  2009 - News

DOC 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 - News

DOC 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 2009

There 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
Public_concern_over_wildlife_deaths_in_the_Hauraki_Gulf_Sept09_Update_Oct09_2.pdf

Read the Treasure Island Flyers

Click the link to view DOC's latest flyer 3 released 11 September Rangitoto_Motutapu_Pest_Eradication_Treasure_Island_Sept09.pdf

Click the link to view DOC's 'Two down, One to Go' flyer 2 released 4 August
Treasure_Islands_-__two_down_one_to_go.pdf

click below to view DOC's 'Three, Two, One, GO' flyer 1 released 6 July Rangitoto_Motutapu_Pest_Eradication_Treasure_Island_SMALL.pdf

For even more information www.treasureislands.co.nz

More media releases here