Pest numbers fall significantly due to collaboration

Pest populations have dropped to undetectable levels after OSPRI and the Department of Conservation (DOC) teamed up to protect native species and control bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Otagos Blue Mountains.

OSPRI manages the TBfree programme and has extensive experience in completing aerial operations. TBfree worked on behalf of DOC to control rodents and stoats following the beech mast (seeding) in the Blue Mountains, as part of the Battle for our Birds campaign.

The results of the operation showed that the number of stoats, which destroy native wild animals, fell dramatically. Monitoring by tracking tunnels showed stoats at undetectable levels (0%) compared to 38% in November last year prior to the aerial pest control operation.

Tracking results also showed that rats and mice had dropped to 0% in the treatment area from rates of 10% and 30%, respectively.

"OSPRI was delighted to play a role in protecting our countrys unique biodiversity, while also controlling pests that spread bovine TB," said Brent Rohloff, Southern South Island Programme Manager.

The Blue Mountains is a TB risk area, where infected wild animals have been found. With DOCs help, this operation will provide considerable cost savings, placing TBfree well on the way to eliminating the disease across at least 2.5 million hectares of New Zealand by 2026. Since 2011, bovine TB has been eradicated from some 830,000 hectares.

"While OSPRIs main priority is to manage the TBfree and NAIT programmes, the Blue Mountains operation shows we have the skills and capability to stamp out TB in wild animals and provide significant biodiversity gains," said Mr Rohloff.

The operation aimed to protect the endangered mhua population at risk from rising predator numbers fuelled by the beech mast. The Blue Mountains has an important mhua population at risk of local extinction.

DOC Conservation Services Manager Ros Cole said the TBfree operation was welcomed at a time when DOC was busy with other Battle for our Birds pest control work around the South Island.

"They did a great job in challenging spring weather conditions and the success in knocking down predators will have helped protect mhua over their summer nesting period when they are most vulnerable."

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Pest numbers fall significantly due to collaboration