Trapping regime essential
Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication.
Introduction
The owners of Onenui Station have increased their trapping efforts after a devastating season.Date: 04 February 2013
The owners of Onenui Station have increased their trapping efforts after a devastating season on Waikawa (Portland Island) that saw New Zealand shore plover numbers reduce from 80 to 20 surviving birds.
John Hitchcock, Manager of Onenui Station said “we are setting out to improve biosecurity on the island by servicing the existing traps more regularly”. A successful bid from the DOC Biodiversity Condition Fund will ensure more frequent visits to the island will happen he said. Consequently greater protection will be offered to the embattled Island. “Birds like the endangered New Zealand dotterel and native lizards, both residents on the island stand to be on the receiving end of this enhanced protection which is great” John said.
John Hitchcock, Onenui Station Manager
The island was until recently, predator free and the owners are hoping that it won’t be long before this is the status quo again.
The successful bid also means that conservation effort will be extended to the mainland shores of Onenui Station in the next couple of weeks. A 3 km stretch of beach will be trapped so that the birds can use this improved habitat safely.
Contact
Helen Jonas, DOC Ranger Wairoa Field Base +64 6 838 8252
David Carlton Programme Manager Biodiversity +64 27 280 7850
John Hitchcock, Manager of Onenui Station +64 6 837 5671
