Date:  26 September 2017

The aerial 1080 predator control covered approximately 12,800 hectares including the Roaring Meg, Moonlight and Pike catchments.

Monitoring had shown rat numbers in the area were at a level where they threatened at-risk native species. With more rodents to feed on, stoat numbers can also rise.

The Roaring Meg operation targeted rats. Stoat numbers are reduced through their eating poisoned rodent carcasses.

DOC Greymouth Operations Manager Shane Hall said the pest control had been needed to protect great spotted kiwi/roroa, whio, kea, kākā, and Powelliphanta snail populations.

"The predator control operation also supports the Paparoa Wildlife Trust's valuable conservation work with great spotted kiwi and whio.

"Part of the Paparoa Wildlife Trust's 8000-hectare stoat trapping area in the South Paparoa Range was included in the aerial operation, giving added protection to native wildlife from predator attacks.

"Stoats are a threat to great spotted kiwi chicks and nesting whio and their chicks. Aerial 1080 pest control is effective in getting rats, possums and stoats down to low levels. It will help protect the kiwi, whio and other birdlife during the breeding season to enable them to raise more young to grow their numbers."

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