Predator fight behind: study

AUCKLAND: New Zealand’s dream to be pestfree by 2050 will remain just that unless new technology such as genetic tools are thrown into the fight, scientists warn.

University of Auckland researchers modelled whether New Zealand could be kept free of rats which, alongside possums and stoats, are targeted for elimination in the Predator Free 2050 plan.

They used an analysis model to explore how different factors were likely to affect New Zealand islands being invaded by rats.

They fed their model with a wide range of island data including size, distance to the mainland, public or private ownership, human habitation and whether rats had already been eradicated.

The results were sobering. Just two out of 18 highestranked islands in the model would be ratfree by 2025.

Overall, just 14 out of 74 islands were likely to be purged of the vermin by 2050.

If New Zealand’s rate of eradication implementation continued as is, the country would not be ratfree anytime in the foreseeable future, said doctoral student Zachary Carter, who led the study.

‘‘Our results should be viewed as an examination of Predator Free 2050 as potential outcome if transformative eradication advances are not made.

‘‘Fortunately, universities, government researchers and private enterprise are already involved in exploring new and exciting transformative technologies to overcome limitations in the existing eradication toolbox and they will be essential to PF2050’s success.’’ — The New Zealand Herald