Media release

14 June 2012

Kaimanawa Forest Park aerial TB control concluded

Fine weather has enabled the Animal Health Board (AHB) to complete aerial possum control in the Kaimanawa Forest Park to protect nearby cattle and deer herds from bovine tuberculosis (TB).

AHB Northern North Island Programme Manager Brent Webster said the aerial operation, east of Lake Taupo, was completed on 11 June.

“AHB contractors have done an excellent job of planning and undertaking this operation across 15,900 hectares of primarily native beech forest,” said Mr Webster.

“Aerial control supports ongoing ground-based operations on local farmland. Ground control utilises hand-laid traps and bait stations to maintain low possum numbers and eventually eradicate TB from the area.”

By 2026, the national TB control strategy aims to eradicate the disease from wild animals – particularly possums who are the main carrier of the disease – across one quarter of the 10 million hectares of New Zealand’s TB risk areas.

“Bovine TB has recently been identified in possums in the nearby Motuoapa area. The aerial operation was designed to prevent the disease from spreading through the possum population to farmed cattle and deer, putting at risk the $750 million generated annually from pastoral farming in the Taupo district,” said Mr Webster.

Following the operation, contractors have been checking tracks and ensuring warning signs remain in place. This is a requirement of consenting authorities, such as the Ministry of Health. The AHB has also made every effort to inform hunters about the operation.

Prominent warning signs have been erected at all major entrance points to the operational area and will remain in place for a minimum period of four to six months. Not only is it an offence to remove the signs, but it also puts dogs and other recreational park users at risk.

“The AHB strongly urges members of the public, especially hunters, to read the warning signs and keep dogs away from the operational area until the signs have been removed, indicating that there is no longer a risk to the area,” said Mr Webster.

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