The Post

Dropping sparks search for rodent

- STAFF REPORTER

The discovery of what is thought to be a rat dropping on an island that has been predator-free since 1998 – and is the home of the Ka¯ ka¯ po¯ Recovery Programme – has sparked a ‘‘full-scale incursion response’’.

The Department of Conservati­on (DOC) leapt into action following the discovery on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, off the west coast of Stewart Island.

A team equipped with tracking tunnels, camera monitoring gear and traps was deployed to the island on Thursday.

It comes after news Sirocco the celebrity ka¯ ka¯ po¯ hasn’t been seen in over a year, and the death of another ka¯ ka¯ po¯ , Blake, this month.

The faeces, measuring about 2.8 centimetre­s in length, were found by a researcher studying South Georgian diving petrels on Sealers Bay beach and reported to DOC on Wednesday morning.

It was suspected Norway rat.

However, DNA analysis required for confirmati­on.

DOC Murihiku operations manager and response leader Tony Preston to be from a was says while it had not definitive­ly identified there enough evidence to act.

‘‘Whenua Hou is one of the most important sites for biodiversi­ty recovery in New Zealand and any evidence of an incursion is treated very seriously.

‘‘It only takes one pregnant rat to wreak havoc on a pristine ecosystem.

‘‘Because of this, we’re taking a better-safe-than-sorry approach and doing everything we can to identify, isolate and exterminat­e any unwelcome arrival.’’

Ka¯ka¯po¯ operations manager Deidre Vercoe said while a rat should not pose any risk to an adult ka¯ ka¯ po¯ , eggs and chicks would be vulnerable.

However, the critically endangered parrots were not expected to breed on Whenua Hou this summer, with the next breeding expected to be in early 2019.

Whenua Hou is three kilometres from the coast of Rakiura/Stewart Island. It has been predator-free since 1998.

As a nature reserve it has the highest protection available in New Zealand and entry is by permit only, with strict quarantine rules in place. been was

 ?? PHOTO: CAMERON BURNELL/STUFF ?? Sirocco the ka¯ka¯po¯ has not been sighted on his island home near Stewart Island since March 1, 2016. Now there are fears a rat has moved in.
PHOTO: CAMERON BURNELL/STUFF Sirocco the ka¯ka¯po¯ has not been sighted on his island home near Stewart Island since March 1, 2016. Now there are fears a rat has moved in.
 ?? PHOTO: NEIL RATLEY/STUFF ?? Whenua Hou/Codfish Island is three kilometres off the west coast of Rakiura/Stewart Island and is only accessible by air.
PHOTO: NEIL RATLEY/STUFF Whenua Hou/Codfish Island is three kilometres off the west coast of Rakiura/Stewart Island and is only accessible by air.

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