Friday, 29 April 2016 08:55

Possum kill planned for Kaweka Range

Written by 
The work is planned for areas of the Kaweka Range where TB-infected wildlife has been found. The work is planned for areas of the Kaweka Range where TB-infected wildlife has been found.

An aerial possum kill using 1080 poison is planned for the high Kaweka Range between Taupo and Hawke's Bay this winter, says OSPRI.

The work is planned for areas of the Kaweka Range where TB-infected wildlife has been found. Consultation and planning has been done with farmers, deer hunters, local iwi and groups which use the tracks in the Kaweka Forest Park.

Consultation has gone on since August 2015 with representatives of DOC, NZ Deerstalkers Association and Game Animal Council, neighbouring landowners, local iwi and residents. The timing has been agreed with DOC to coincide with changes in the winter feeding behaviour of wildlife.

The first drop will target an area of the Kaweka Range north-west of Napier, between the Mohaka River in the north and the Napier-Taihape road in the south. The area has east-facing slopes around the headwaters of the Tutaekuri and Donald Rivers in the south and steep gorges north of Makahu Saddle.

Matthew Hall, chief operating officer of OSPRI, says this is the first kill in this area, and it will help halt the spread of TB into neighbouring farmed cattle and deer, and help conserve native flora and fauna in the high country forest.

He says the steep terrain of the area makes access difficult and supports the use of aerial drops as the most effective method.

The June timing recognises the importance of the Kaweka for recreational deer hunting. "OSPRI has spent a lot on deer repellent bait for the operation," he says, "and the timing avoids the peak deer-roar hunting season."

More like this

TB testing in-house

OSPRI will carry out on-farm TB testing, following AsureQuality's decision not to renew their contract.

Snail mail

OPINION: About as productive as a politician's taxpayer-funded trip to Hawaii, as cost-effective as an OSPRI IT project, and as smart as the power-company pylon worker, the Hound gives you the NZ Post business strategy:

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Featured

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Lame stories from a country vet

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s…

Machinery & Products

Amazone extends hoe range

With many European manufacturers releasing mechanical weeding systems to counter the backlash around the use and possible banning of agrochemicals,…

Gong for NH dealers

New Holland dealers from around Australia and New Zealand came together last month for the Dealer of the Year Awards,…

A true Kiwi ingenuity

The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Greenpeace a charity?

OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.

Synlait's back

OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter