Islands Close For Second Drop

The ambitious plan to restore Rangitoto and Motutapu islands by creating a predator-free sanctuary for native wildlife continues today with the second of three aerial rodent bait applications. This comes after a successful first drop on the islands less than three weeks ago.

Rangitoto and Motutapu will be closed from today until and including Friday 18 July and open again to the public on Saturday 18 July.

The operation is part of a programme to restore the islands by removing seven species of introduced mammal pests and predators, which will provide a landmark 3800 hectare sanctuary for native wildlife within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

The Department of Conservation’s Auckland Area Manager, Brett Butland says the near-perfect weather conditions for the first drop meant the operation to rid these islands of rodents got off to an excellent start.

“We were able to complete the aerial and ground application of rat bait within a day and a half and we are confident the second operation will go smoothly. That means we only need to close the islands for nine days instead of the planned ten.” says Mr Butland.

“With only one further application of rodent bait to go, we’re well on our way to breathing life back into Rangitoto and Motutapu - creating a large pest-free nature sanctuary right on Auckland’s front doorstep.”

DOC is working with a wide range of groups – including Motutapu Farms Ltd, the Motutapu Restoration Trust, bach occupiers, the Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp , local iwi, the Auckland Regional Council and the Ports of Auckland – as part of the long-term plan to remove the seven remaining pest species from Rangitoto and Motutapu islands.

Since the first operation, Department of Conservation staff have found dead rodents, as well as a some dead pukeko on the island.

“There is a big population of pukeko on Motutapu and we are expecting to lose a number of these birds. Previous rodent eradication operations have shown that the pukeko population bounces back very quickly, especially in the absence of predators such as rats and stoats,” says Mr Butland.

The dates for the third and final aerial application are weather dependent but DOC is seeking to complete it as soon as possible.

ENDS

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