A predator-free New Zealand How crazy an idea is it? - Forest and Bird
A predator-free New Zealand How crazy an idea is it? - Forest and Bird
A predator-free New Zealand How crazy an idea is it? - Forest and Bird
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A <strong>predator</strong>-<strong>free</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zeal<strong>an</strong>d</strong><br />
<strong>How</strong> <strong>crazy</strong> <strong>an</strong> <strong>idea</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>it</strong>?<br />
Nicola Toki<br />
Conservation Advocate<br />
<strong>Forest</strong> & <strong>Bird</strong>
“It’s <strong>crazy</strong> <strong>an</strong>d amb<strong>it</strong>ious, but <strong>it</strong><br />
might be worth a shot.”
<strong>How</strong> <strong>crazy</strong>?...<br />
• A legacy of introduced mammals has<br />
destroyed our native birdlife.<br />
• But, we are world-leaders in large-scale<br />
<strong>predator</strong> eradication.<br />
• Our area of eradications goes up by <strong>an</strong> order<br />
of magn<strong>it</strong>ude every decade.<br />
• The last one was 11000 ha… <strong>it</strong>’s almost time<br />
for 100 000!
National ident<strong>it</strong>y
Ruapehu ‘<strong>predator</strong> <strong>free</strong> workshop’<br />
• In February 2012, 19 of NZ’s best <strong>predator</strong><br />
control scient<strong>is</strong>ts, pract<strong>it</strong>ioners <strong>an</strong>d experts<br />
met to <strong>an</strong>swer the question “A <strong>predator</strong> <strong>free</strong><br />
NZ, <strong>is</strong> <strong>it</strong> possible?”<br />
• Scope lim<strong>it</strong>ed to mustelids, rodents,<br />
possums.<br />
• Some expected adv<strong>an</strong>ces in blue-sky<br />
technology required.<br />
• Not easy, not cheap, but possible.
Conclusion from the workshop...<br />
“Protecting our birdlife<br />
everywhere through a <strong>predator</strong><br />
<strong>free</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zeal<strong>an</strong>d</strong> - <strong>is</strong> possible<br />
<strong>an</strong>d urgent”
Where to from here? Next steps...<br />
• Other org<strong>an</strong><strong>is</strong>ations, agencies <strong>an</strong>d individuals<br />
are picking up on the <strong>idea</strong>. E.g. Million Dollar<br />
Mouse.<br />
• Need to align the v<strong>is</strong>ion so that we’re all<br />
heading in the same direction.<br />
• Need to investigate cost <strong>an</strong>d feasibil<strong>it</strong>y (<strong>an</strong>d<br />
opportun<strong>it</strong>ies!)<br />
• Most import<strong>an</strong>tly, need to bring the NZ<br />
public along w<strong>it</strong>h the v<strong>is</strong>ion.
Our Apollo Program.<br />
• <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zeal<strong>an</strong>d</strong> could st<strong>an</strong>d at the forefront of a<br />
new wave of <strong>predator</strong> control. It would be a<br />
great source of national pride <strong>an</strong>d extremely<br />
pos<strong>it</strong>ive for our reputation.<br />
• It would cost less in the long run.<br />
• Everybody c<strong>an</strong> play a role.
Ark in the Park – h<strong>an</strong>ds on<br />
We know we c<strong>an</strong> do th<strong>is</strong>...<br />
conservation<br />
• Slide summar<strong>is</strong>ing the work of Ark in the Park.
The future? – kakapo breeding on<br />
the mainl<strong>an</strong>d.
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