Highlight 1 1080 to Zero Knowledge/Method Gap Standard prescriptions for the aerial use of 1080 to control possums and rats suppress the populations to low levels. The ecological benefits and long-term cost-effectiveness of a predator-free programme at large sites on the mainland will be considerably enhanced by the efficient initial complete removal of predators.
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Over the past year ZIP has been investigating a modified prescription for the aerial application of 1080, to completely remove possums and rats from large mainland areas of New Zealand. If successful, this new technique could reduce, and ultimately do away with, the need for repeated large-scale aerial application of 1080 (provided that population re-establishment is prevented).