Motuihe rat no match for Jack the rodent dog
Date: 23 April 2008
Jack, a specially trained rodent detection dog, was the star of the rat catching operation on Motuihe Island today after he sniffed his way to a female Norway rat soon after his arrival.
Jack was part of a major Department of Conservation rat hunt, sparked on Monday when rat footprints were found in tracking tunnels on the island.
Motuihe is free of animal pests, and home to threatened species such as the saddleback and NZ dotterel, meaning the presence of a rat on the island was a major blow.
Jack the superstar rat hunter
DOC Biodiversity Manager, Phil Brown, said having a rat on the island was a real risk, so it was great to catch it so quickly. He said it was important to keep islands in the Hauraki Gulf free of pests.
"Everyone has a responsibility to check their boats and gear before leaving the mainland, so we don't end up with this type of situation," he said.
DOC will continue checking the island to ensure there are no more rats present, including having another dog check the island at the weekend. DOC will also be checking neighbouring pest free islands to make sure they are free of rats.
ENDS