ANNUAL REPORT 2014/2015

OSPRI | SPECIAL PROJECTS 2014/2015
PEST MANAGEMENT
COLLABORATIONS
Project Aorangi
This is a collaborative project
designed to protect native birds
and bush as well as provide for
the control of TB in the southern
Wairarapa area. The project was
established with DOC, the Greater
Wellington Regional Council
(GWRC), the Aorangi Restoration
Trust (ART), Aorangi Deer Hunters,
local iwi, OSPRI and the Victoria
University of Wellington over a ten
year term.
The aim of this project is to reduce
the number of possums, stoats and
rats over approximately 30,000
hectares of the Aorangi Forest Park.
During the course of the ten year
project, the aerial operation will
occur every three years to ensure
maximum biodiversity gains are
achieved. This will be achieved at
approximately the same cost as
completing aerial control every five
years by reducing the sowing rate
and inserting a gap in the baiting
swath width of 40 metres. Deer
repellent was used across the entire
operational area. The first aerial
operation of this collaborative project
was completed in August 2014. The
aerial operation is scheduled to occur
again in the winter of 2017.
Victoria University of Wellington
is conducting a ten year study on
the environmental effects of the
use of 1080. A range of biodiversity
indicators are being used to
determine these effects. Early
indications appear to show that
no bird species have suffered any
significant population losses in the
months immediately after the
aerial operation.
Baton – Arthur
OSPRI were approached by the
Friends of Flora community
conservation group to see if we
could integrate extra landmass
to our Baton-Arthur pest control
operation, within a project that
would see us building on a similar
successful collaboration in 2013.
Through a memorandum of
understanding with Friends of Flora
and DOC, OSPRI and these partner
agencies successfully delivered the
extended operation.
This activity assisted the Friends of
Flora with their pest management
programme aimed at protecting
threatened flora and fauna in the
area, including roroa (great spotted
kiwi) and whio (blue duck). The
collaboration included support
from local volunteers to help clear
tracks and prepare the operation.
Hokonui Hills
In collaboration with Landcare
Research, OSPRI completed
research work as part of the June
2014 Hokonui Hills aerial operation
with the aim of facilitating a ‘belt
and braces’ approach to assessing
the feasibility and effectiveness of
a new approach to declaring TB
freedom in possums. Alongside
this research, studies on the
impact of 1080 on birdlife are
being undertaken with the support
of DOC, Te Ao Marama and the
Hokonui Runanga.
The TB freedom research involved
radio-tracking possums, monitoring
possum numbers pre and post
aerial control and performing
necropsies on possums after the
aerial control operation to look for
the presence, or absence, of TB.
The bird studies underway involve
annual acoustic recording and
analysis of bird song to determine
the long-term impact of pest
control (year one of a ten year
project), and a study into the acute
impact of 1080 on ruru. The ruru
study involved harnessing and
radio tracking birds pre and post
aerial control to assess survival
rates. The 100% survival rate has
led to a ‘follow on’ study into the
nesting and fledgling success of the
harnessed ruru (ongoing).
OTHER INITIATIVES
Community and stakeholder
engagement regarding 1080
OSPRI worked to highlight
the benefits of 1080 in close
collaboration with DOC, Forest &
Bird, PCET, GWRC, and Federated
Farmers. The use of aerial 1080 is
opposed by some individuals in
the public domain, many of whom
challenge the view that possums
spread TB. Other community
concerns include whether there are
any adverse biodiversity impacts
of 1080 or whether alternatives
are available. OSPRI will continue
to assess the most appropriate
available alternatives for effective
pest control operations. It will
take into account factors such as
area of operation, efficacy, and
technological developments. OSPRI
contributes significant research
towards pest control approaches
including alternative baiting
options and regularly engages and
addresses community concerns.
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