Forest & Bird congratulates New Zealand police on 1080 arrest.
13 October 2015

Forest & Bird congratulates the New Zealand police for making an arrest as part of their investigation into a 1080 threat to infant formula late last year.

“This threat wasn’t just a challenge for our dairy industry and exports, it also had the potential to damage our ability to control introduced predators that are killing our native wildlife” explained Kevin Hackwell, Group Manager of Campaigns and Advocacy at Forest & Bird.

“We absolutely support the continued use of 1080 in New Zealand’s forests. It’s the most sensible, cost-effective way to reduce pest numbers and allow native forests and wildlife to thrive” said Mr Hackwell.

Just last week, the Department of Conservation released news that an aerial 1080 operation in the Eglington Valley has led to record survival rates for short-tailed bats in the area. 99% of the bat population survived, which is a great improvement on survival rates observed without pest control (50-60%) in a beech mast (seeding) year.

Initial results from Auckland Council's 1080 programme in the Hunua Ranges look promising. The drop is expected to significantly reduce the number of rats and stoats in the region, helping to protect a range of native species, including the endangered kōkako and native Hochstetter’s frog.

Kevin Hackwell praised the police for putting in significant resources that have allowed this arrest to be made.

"New Zealanders responded very calmly to the threat, which indicates the public understand that those who use 1080 are very careful and take the appropriate precautions." Hackwell said.

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