Mustelid tracks, likely from a weasel, have been found inside the fence at Wellington’s ecosanctuary ZEALANDIA,
triggering an immediate hunt for the unwelcome predator.
Conservation and Research Manager Dr Danielle Shanahan said that while incursions are very rare, ZEALANDIA is
well-prepared to deal with the situation and is working with experts to plan and carry out an eradication programme.
The footprints were discovered on 1 October 2018, and were found during a routine annual pest audit in a tracking
tunnel. This has prompted an immediate incursion response by ZEALANDIA staff, supported by expertise and resources from
organisations including the Department of Conservation, Greater Wellington Regional Council, and Predator Free
Wellington.
“Our first priority has been to get a full and detailed understanding of the situation,” she said. “We have spent the
last day carrying out a thorough assessment of the fence to ensure there are no breaches, and put out camera traps to
see if we can gain any more knowledge on the animal.”
The discovery was made at the southern tip of the valley, and a team of staff and volunteers are now laying traps and
tracking tunnels across the sanctuary to catch the intruder.
Shanahan said that while it was too soon to be certain how the mustelid had gained entry, it was likely to be a recent
arrival.
“A Department of Conservation mustelid-detection dog swept the valley in late June, and found nothing.”
The operation will continue until the animal is found and ZEALANDIA staff are confident that the sanctuary is clear of
introduced predators.
The incursion reinforced the importance of constant vigilance at the fenced sanctuary, including regular pest audits and
careful biosecurity protocols.
“Even one introduced predator is one too many”, said Shanahan. “A single stoat, weasel, rat or possum could cause
significant harm to our birds, lizards and invertebrates. ZEALANDIA is home to many important populations of some of New
Zealand’s most threatened species, and we must give them the utmost protection.”
ZEALANDIA is a groundbreaking 225 hectare ecosanctuary in urban Wellington. Since it was fenced in 1999 and introduced
predators eradicated, it has reintroduced 20 species of native wildlife back into the area, including six extinct on
mainland New Zealand for over a century.
ENDS