Aorere (Kahurangi National Park) Predator Control Operation for Iconic Species Protection. Aorere (Kahurangi National Park) Predator Control Operation for Iconic Species Protection.
To protect species such as native land snails (Powelliphanta), whio and kiwi in north-west Kahurangi National Park, the Department of Conservation (DOC), intends to carry out predator control over approximately 50,000 hectares of public conservation land. Vector Free Marlborough Limited (VFML) has been engaged by DOC to manage this operation. To protect species such as native land snails (Powelliphanta), whio and kiwi in north-west Kahurangi National Park, the Department of Conservation (DOC), intends to carry out predator control over approximately 50,000 hectares of public conservation land. Vector Free Marlborough Limited (VFML) has been engaged by DOC to manage this operation. Description of the area Description the area The treatmentofarea comprises approximately 50,000 hectares of Kahurangi National Park and North-west Nelson Forest Park between the coast at Kahurangi Point/Big Bay and the inclusion of most of the Aorere River in the east. The southern boundary is at the Domett Range. A section of the Heaphy Track between Brown Hut and approximately 3 km west of James Mackay Hut is The treatment area comprises approximately 50,000 hectares of Kahurangi National Park and North-west Nelson Forest Park between the coast at Kahurangi Point/Big Bay and the inclusion of included. most of the Aorere River in the east. The southern boundary is at the Domett Range. A section of the Heaphy Track between Brown Hut and approximately 3 km west of James Mackay Hut is included. This area holds seven species of Nationally Endangered Powelliphanta landsnails, and is a stronghold for great spotted kiwi/roroa. Also present are whio/blue duck, kea and kaka. A small population of translocated takahē are present, mostly in the Gouland Downs area. This area holds seven species of Nationally Endangered Powelliphanta landsnails, and is a stronghold for great spotted kiwi/roroa. Also present are whio/blue duck, kea and kaka. A small population of doing translocated takahē are present, mostly in the Gouland Downs area. Why we are predator control. Why we seeding are doing predator control. A heavy (mast) occurred in north-west Nelson region during 2019. This natural event, that should benefit native species, instead caused predators such as rodents and stoats to increase dramatically in numbers. A heavy seeding (mast) occurred in north-west Nelson region during 2019. This natural event, that should benefit native species, instead caused predators such as rodents and stoats to increase dramatically in operation numbers. over 300,000 hectares of Kahurangi National Park was planned for 2019/20 to control these predators but the Aorere portion of that operation needed to be A large predator control postponed until 2020. A large predator control operation over 300,000 hectares of Kahurangi National Park was planned for 2019/20 to control these predators but the Aorere portion of that operation needed to be postponed until 2020. Predator control in the Aorere treatment area from mid-2020 will reduce the high stoat numbers caused by heavy seed-fall during 2019, and provide protection for species such as kea, whio and kiwi during the 2020/21 nesting period. Predator control in the Aorere treatment area from mid-2020 will reduce the high stoat numbers caused by heavy seed-fall during 2019, and provide protection for species such as kea, whio and kiwi duringcontrol the 2020/21 Predator worksnesting period. Predator controlout works DOC has carried similar mast response operations in Kahurangi National Park in 2014 and 2016. Monitoring of kea and whio showed significant increases in the nesting success of both species following 1080 control. There are similar results from elsewhere for kaka, robin, rifleman and for other species also within the Aorere treatment area. DOC has carried out similar mast response operations in Kahurangi National Park in 2014 and 2016. Monitoring of kea and whio showed significant increases in the nesting success of both species following 1080 control. There are similar results from elsewhere for kaka, robin, rifleman and for other species also within the Aorere treatment area. Method of predator control Methodofof predator control DOC worked closely with its Treaty Partners on desired outcomes and consulted with stakeholders and the community. Ahead the 2019 operation Aheadany of the DOCVector worked closely with its Treaty Partners on desired outcomes and consulted with and the community. From time2019 afteroperation 20 July 2020 Free Marlborough Ltd will apply baits containing biodegradable 1080 to thestakeholders treatment area. From any time after 20 July Vector Ltd willto apply baits operation. containing This biodegradable 1080 to the treatment area. A pre-feed of non-toxic baits2020 will occur noFree less Marlborough than five days prior the 1080 operation will entice the rodents to eat the pellets. A pre-feed baits is willweather occur no less than and five the days prior to theextend 1080 operation. This operation will entice the rodents to eat the pellets. Each phaseofofnon-toxic the operation dependant project may over several months. Eachtoxic phase of the weather dependant the approximately project may extend over several The baits are operation in the formisof a cylindrical cerealand pellet, two centimetres in months. diameter, with each bait containing 0.15% of Sodium fluoroacetate (1080). Toxic baits are dyed green to deter birds and contain a cinnamon lure to attract rodents. The toxic baits are in the form of a cylindrical cereal pellet, approximately two centimetres in diameter, with each bait containing 0.15% of Sodium fluoroacetate (1080). Toxic baits are dyed green to deter birdsbaits and are contain a cinnamon lure to attract rodents. Non-toxic pre-feed in the form of a cylindrical cereal pellet, approximately two centimetres in diameter and sandy coloured (not-dyed). Prefeed contains a cinnamon lure to attract rodents. Non-toxic pre-feed baits are in the form of a cylindrical cereal pellet, approximately two centimetres in diameter and sandy coloured (not-dyed). Prefeed contains a cinnamon lure to attract rodents. The aerial operation uses calibrated buckets and GIS mapping technology to ensure bait drops in the designated area. aerial operation uses calibrated buckets and GISanimals. mappingAlways technology to ensure bait drops in the designated area. The pesticide is poisonous to humans and domestic remember: The •pesticide is poisonous to humans DO NOT touch or eat the baitand domestic animals. Always remember: •
DO NOT CHILDREN touch or eatat the WATCH allbait times
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WATCH all times DO NOT CHILDREN EAT animalsatfrom this area or from within the “buffer zone” outside the treatment area boundary.
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Toxic baits andanimals carcasses to DOGS DO NOT EAT fromare thisDEADLY area or from within the “buffer zone” outside the treatment area boundary.
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• Toxic will baits carcasses are DEADLY to DOGS Warning signs beand erected at all main public entry points and at public facilities within the area. Warning signs indicate that pesticide residues may still remain in baits and carcasses, possibly for more than six months. Observe the precautions whenever you see toxin warning signs present. Warning signs will be erected at all main public entry points and at public facilities within the area. Warning signs indicate that pesticide residues may still remain in baits and carcasses, possibly for walking more than six months. Observe precautions whenever warning signs present. All tracks in the area will bethe closed immediately beforeyou thesee starttoxin of the 1080 operation until inspected and cleared of most baits. Tracks will not be closed for the prefeed operation and advisory signs will be erected immediately before the start. Observe the precautions on these advisory signs. All walking tracks in the area will be closed immediately before the start of the 1080 operation until inspected and cleared of most baits. Tracks will not be closed for the prefeed operation and advisory signs will be erected immediately before the start. Observe the precautions on these advisory signs. If you suspect poisoning Always contact:poisoning Your local doctor or local hospital or the National Poisons Centre: 0800 764 766 (urgent calls) or 03 479 7248, or dial 111. If you suspect
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Always contact: Your local doctor or local hospital or the National Poisons Centre: 0800 764 766 (urgent calls) or 03 479 7248, or dial 111. For further information, contact the Aorere Operation Controller: For further contact the Aorere Operation Controller: Vector Freeinformation, Marlborough Limited PO Box 5171, Springlands, Blenheim 7241 Vector Free Marlborough Limited Free phone: 548 008 Blenheim 7241 PO Box 5171,0508 Springlands, Email: communications@vectorfree.co.nz Free phone: 0508 548 008
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Email: communications@vectorfree.co.nz A detailed map of the application area may be viewed at the DOC Takaka Office and Westport Office and also at the Vector Free Marlborough Limited website: A detailed map of the application area may be viewed at the DOC Takaka Office and Westport Office and also at the Vector Free Marlborough Limited website: http://www.vectorfree.co.nz/current-aerial-operations.html http://www.vectorfree.co.nz/current-aerial-operations.html Visit also: www.doc.govt.nz/tiakina-nga-manu Visit also: www.doc.govt.nz/tiakina-nga-manu
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Bulk fuel delivery you can depend on THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 3 JULY 2020
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