Wairarapa Key Native Ecosystem Management Areas - Greater ...

There has been little evidence of possums or damage during visits to this site.
This is possibly due to a lack of palatable native tree species favoured by
possums. Very little evidence of mustelids were found despite various trapping
and bait methods being carried out.
109. History
This site was originally inspected in September 1996 and received a regional
priority score of 5. This score reflected on the fact that there were several
regionally threatened plants present. Possum control commenced in 2000, and
predator control started in 2001 and has been ongoing ever since.
110. Operational procedures
Possum control has continued with 20p brodifacoum fed through Kilmore bait
stations permanently installed throughout the site.
Predator control is ongoing using Timms traps and No. 4 Fenns under single
Philproof tunnels baited with beef fat and offal. This work has been carried out
by Greater Wellington staff as time permits.
Species trapped and results for 2007/08:
Cats 4
Ferret 1
Rats 7
Hedgehogs 5
10kg brodifacoum wax 20p possum pellets were used.
111. Operational results
The Waingawa Swamp KNEMA had no pre initial monitoring carried out prior
to this operation commencing.
112. Discussion
112.1 Endangered native plants
Several matagouri shrubs (Discria toumatou) were found during the initial
KNE survey. However, all but one specimen have been destroyed due to
machinery and cattle movement. The remaining specimen remains alongside
the main highway just south of Norman Avenue (the entrance to the site).
112.2 Possum/predator reinvasion
Greater Wellington is confident that the number of possums within this site are
very low. Judging by the number of mustelids trapped since the operation
started, the threat to wildlife should be minimal.
WGN_DOCS-#609098-V1 PAGE 43 OF 44