The Kiwi Coast has gathered together animal pest control data from conservation projects in eastern Northland with staggering results.
In total, 11,999 rats, 8997 possums, 647 stoats and 657 rabbits were either trapped or poisoned in 2013 between Bream Head and Whangaroa. As staggering as this may be, the real numbers will be far higher as most of the data is from trap catches, and many community-led conservation projects also use poison. Only one ferret was reported, by Hupara Landcare. As ferrets can quickly destroy local kiwi populations, this was a vital catch.
Ngaire Tyson, Coordinator of the Kiwi Coast says “Bringing all the results together shows the huge amount of effort that Northlanders are putting into removing predators and pests along the Kiwi Coast. The Kiwi Coast is all about working together to help kiwi thrive and these results show that we are actually out there, doing that, every day.”
Jim Shaw, of Waimate North Landcare said: “It can be hard for Landcare Groups to keep battling away on pest control, even when it’s going really well. Being part of the Kiwi Coast and sharing results shows us that there are others out there with the same goals, doing the same hard work, and that together we can make a difference”.
Over thirty community-led conservation groups between Bream Head and Whangaroa shared their pest control results to create the grand tally. This is the first year of operation for the Kiwi Coast, and the first time the results have been collated. Annual pest control results for the area will be collected each January. It is hoped that even more landowners and projects will take part this year. Anyone carrying out animal pest control within the Kiwi Coast is welcome to participate.
This is the first time in New Zealand that data from community-led and DOC conservation projects has been collated for an area, and demonstrates the results that can be achieved at a landscape scale.
