Trapping not enough

The Brook sanctuary has had an extensive pest eradication programme running for many years using traps serviced by volunteers. Scores of trappers have checked the traps weekly and reported nearly 30,000 pests removed over this time. The area trapped is only about a quarter of the area of the sanctuary. Despite this enormous effort there has not been a great increase in bird life.

Reports from around the country for many years have shown a decline in many bird species some to near extinction due to predation. New Zealand has a choice between using poison baits or experiencing native bird extinction. Brodifacoum is very effective against predators and has been shown to eradicate them in circumscribed areas. Some native birds are also killed in poison drops but quickly increase in numbers with two or three clutches a year when there is no longer predation.

I understand the concern expressed about toxic effects of Brodifacoum in the Brook Stream. However the commissioner who approved the application did so after careful assessment of the precautions that will be taken to contain the pellets.

I look forward to the time when the halo effect of the surge of native birds in the sanctuary spreads throughout Nelson. financial accounts are available on the Charities Register to anyone who wishes to see them. I believe that this decision should have been challenged. It is public money that funds this trust and the public should know the current financial status of the trust. What’s the big secret? relating to a request for increased funding was being debated is a travesty of the democratic process. They should both now ask that the decision to prevent them voting be revisited. It will amuse many to learn that councillors Lawrey and Fulton seem to be in favour of a poison drop at the sanctuary and that seems to me to be a real conflict of interest when one considers they are Green Party candidates.