Predator /pest control is essential for the survival of many native species and ecosystems and is a key component of the project.
The nation has a goal of being predator free by 2050. To achieve this there will need to be significant investment of time and money.
The project is able to leverage off the multiple work streams to deliver cost effective solutions. Funding is obtained from multiple sources such as public agencies, families, businesses and corporate’s, philanthropists and other investors. Every dollar counts.
The islands of the Marlborough Sounds have a combined area of over 26,400 hectares. Some islands are predator free. We need to keep working to keep it that way and need to increase this number as they are a valuable refuge for native wildlife.
Some of the predators are carnivores and devastate birds, lizard and snail populations. Others damage the native vegetation by grazing, browsing, bark stripping and ground disturbance creating a “hollowed out” structure, lacking undergrowth.
Predator control around Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui include the following pests:
- Mustelids (ferrets, stoats and weasels).
- Rodents (rats and mice).
- Feral animals (pigs, deer, possum, rabbits, goats, cats).
- Wasps.
Domestic stock (sheep, cattle, deer, horses, goats) also need to be controlled by robust fencing to keep them in their paddocks.
Predator control methods are tailored for specific species and designed to reduce the potential risk to native species and include self resetting traps, bait stations, Fenn or DOC 150s, 200s or 250s. It is important to plan the predator control campaigns to ensure that they are maximising spatial coverage while mindful of the required ongoing maintenance and available volunteers.