BATTLE FOR OUR BIRDS - DOC UPDATE

Sep 4, 2016

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Department of Conservation, Wakatipu Office and Glenorchy Field Centre

Updated on October 14th 2016

Battle for our Birds is a national pest control programme run by DOC to protect our most vulnerable native species.

As you will be aware the Department of Conservation (DOC) has been preparing for a large scale aerial 1080 programme in the Dart, Routeburn and Caples Valleys. A number of weeks have passed since initial notification so please be advised that at the first opportunity after Saturday 15th October 2016, DOC intends to aerially apply toxic cereal baits containing the pesticide sodium fluoroacetate (1080) over public conservation land in the Dart, Routeburn and Caples Valleys.

This is a delayed start to the 1080 operation first scheduled for early September. Please note that the operation completed on the 22nd September was an aerial ‘pre-feed’ that used non-toxic pellets.

Attached below is a factsheet that provides further information, a map and important safety precautions.  Any operation can only be undertaken when weather and operational conditions permit, and you will receive prior notification at least 24 hours before the final date for the toxic bait drop.

As this pesticide is poisonous to humans and domestic animal always remember: 

• DO NOT touch bait
• WATCH CHILDREN at all times
• DO NOT EAT animals from this area
• DO NOT allow DOGS access to animal carcasses

Observe these rules whenever you see warning signs placed at public access ways in the above areas.

If you require any further information please contact me in the first instance.

Kind regards, 

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Update from September 2016

DOC is currently preparing for aerial 1080 operations in the Dart, Routeburn and Caples Valleys this spring.  This work is part of Battle for Our Birds which aims to save New Zealand’s wildlife from a surge in the numbers of introduced predators – www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/battle-for-our-birds

Please note:

The operation will start anytime from Monday the 5th Sep.  Two days are required.  The first will be for the sowing of non-toxic ‘pre-feed’ pellets, followed by toxic bait pellets about a week later.  It is important to have at least 48 hours of dry weather after each drop;

All walking tracks in the Dart, Routeburn and Caples will be closed during both the ‘pre-feed’ and toxic drops. Many adjoining tracks will also be shut including Fraser and Kay Creeks, the Rock and Beans Burn and the Route Burn North Branch. The two closures will be at least five days apart, and up to 24 hours at a time.  Overnight trampers will be held at huts until operations are complete.  People planning to visit these areas from the 5th Sep onwards are advised to check with a DOC visitor centre for any possible delays;

Helicopter flights will be staged from Dan’s Paddock (on the way to the Dart Valley track).  For both the ‘pre-feed’ and toxic drops the last few kilometres of the Glenorchy-Paradise road will be temporarily closed for up to 24 hours;

Deer repellent will be used across much of the treatment area.  While repellent minimises the by-kill of deer it does not prevent it entirely.  If hunting any of these valleys afterwards the standard safety precautions apply;

Poison baits and animal carcasses are deadly to dogs.  Some poisoned animals may be found short distances outside the treatment area.  Exercise extreme caution with dogs;

If you do not wish to receive further messages, to provide new contact details or for general information, please contact Chris Hankin in the first instance on chankin@doc.govt.nz, 03 442 6902.  

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The programme uses biodegradable 1080 applied by air over areas of rugged terrain to knock down rats and stoats. Trapping and other ground control methods also play an important part. 

The Battle for our Birds programme successfully stopped rat and stoat plagues triggered by widespread native forest seeding in 2014. The programme helped protect many native species across the Dart, Routeburn and Caples valleys at this time.

• In late July DOC announced that aerial 1080 predator control was to go ahead in the Dart, Routeburn and Caples valleys, and that operations would occur sometime between mid-August and October.

• The operating window for the operation has been extended by a fortnight and the work will not start until at least early September.

• In the meantime, DOC is continually reviewing a number factors including rodent monitoring results, availability of resources and the weather.  When DOC has a clear start date we will issue public notices and directly notify neighbouring landowners, affected businesses and recreation groups.  Warning signs will be placed at track access points.

• Deer repellent will be used across the Dart, Lower Routeburn and Caples Valleys.  While this repellent reduces the risk of deer being poisoned, it will not prevent this entirely.  Hunters must still adhere to the usual safety precautions when hunting within or near each valley.

For further information visit www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/battle-for-our-birds/ or contact Chris Hankin at the Queenstown Office on chankin@doc.govt.nz; or the Wakatipu Operations Manager Geoff Owen, gowen@doc.govt.nz.  Either may be called on 03 442 7933.

Related documents:

• BFOB October 2016 Dart Routeburn Caples (PDF, 1.04 MB)