Pukaha Mt Bruce partnerships learn from incident
Date: 26 May 2008
Source: Department of Conservation and Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi
A long hot summer, providing favourable breeding conditions for predators nationwide, is believed to be the prime cause of the number of ferrets found in the Pukaha Mt Bruce reserve in northern Wairarapa.
This invasion in April unfortunately caused the first recorded kiwi deaths through predator attacks in the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi programme at Pukaha since the project began in 2002.
A review of predator control in the forest was undertaken by the Department of Conservation with its restoration partners Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council, who control pests in land adjacent to the forest.
The trapping layout was analysed by DOC national predator advisor Darren Peters who commended the team on having the "tightest kiwi protection in the country".
"Even with the best of efforts it's always going to be difficult to control ferrets in an unfenced reserve."
DOC area manager Chris Lester is pleased with the cooperation displayed by the partners and is confident about the future success of the project despite this recent setback.
"The deaths have affected our staff and everyone involved in saving the kiwi. However, we have to learn from these events and we will do as much as we can to prevent any future recurrences."
Mr Lester believes that the regional councils have delivered 100 percent on their agreement and this has been a good time to stop and review the techniques.
"As good as the trapping is the team has agreed that we need to continuously improve our systems and communication."
Further kiwi releases were scheduled but had been placed on hold while the review of the site was undertaken. DOC is now looking forward to releasing kiwi in late May to ensure the restoration continues.
The Pukaha Mt Bruce restoration project to return the dawn chorus to the forest started in 2002. There are currently 16 kiwi in the forest as well as approximately 35-40 kokako and other native birds. A new walking track is currently being constructed so that visitors to the centre have the opportunity to experience the reintroduced native wildlife in an unfenced forest environment. ENDS