Biosecurity Measures at Great Barrier Wharves
Environmental News Issue 11
The Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust, on contract to the Auckland Regional Council, has established 20 rat monitoring tunnels in the environs of the Tryphena and Whangaparapara Wharves. The tunnels are monitored monthly by Dean Medland for the presence of rat and mustelid footprints. This contract is part of the Auckland Regional Council Biosecurity Unit’s commitment to keeping Great Barrier Island free of mustelids and Norway rats. It is supported by the Department of Conservation monitoring in the Port FitzRoy Wharf area and the Auckland City Council’s rat control around the rubbish bins at the three wharves.
Photo by Geoff Moon. A bird heard but not seen on Great Barrier Island for decades, the rare and elusive 'spotted craike' has been definately heard in the Awana.
Thank you for your cooperation in not interfering with the tunnels or bait stations. Any queries or concerns please phone Judy Gilbert on 306.new NON-POISONOUS rodenticide, "Natural No-Rats" is currently being marketed by Kiwicare Co. This is specific to rats and mice and kills no other mammals. It appears like the ideal answer to the problem of poisons as it kills nothing else except rodents, so it is safe around humans, pets and livestock and does not accumulate in the environment. It acts by blocking cellulose digestion – in effect the rats die of constipation. The GBI Trust is currently researching this product, and hoping to instigate some large-scale field trials by the manufacturers. Until this is done we strongly suggest that the product is NOT USED ON GREAT BARRIER. This is because of the unknown risk of building up a resistant rat population. Let’s keep the product for use at the final eradication, when it will be much more effective. The key is to hit the rats all at once with our best arsenal, rather than risk building resistance by drip-feeding poisons over years.