Pest toll soars

Northland’s native forests and wildlife are better off without the 229,372 animal pests trapped by Kiwi Coast groups and projects over the last five years, according to Kiwi Coast co-ordinator Ngaire Tyson.

The annual collation of trap catch data underscored the huge impact being achieved by groups that were working collaboratively to reduce pest animals “that know no boundaries,” she said.

Last year 59,589 animal pests had been trapped by Kiwi Coast groups and projects, “each defending their patch of paradise from predators”. That was more than 1000 pests every week that were no longer breeding, feeding and preying on native wildlife.

“Collating the results from all the groups and projects each year helps to show that individually groups are achieving great results, but together they are achieving something truly phenomenal,” Ms Tyson said.

“As stoats kill 95 per cent of kiwi chicks before they reach their first birthday, trapping 4589 of these top predators over the last five years will have helped a lot of kiwi chicks survive in the wild, and hopefully find a territory and start breeding.

The five-year tally included 95,411 possums, 92,868 rodents, 10,446 hedgehogs, 7527 mustelids, 2920 feral cats and 937 pigs.

The Kiwi Coast initiative grew each year as more community groups joined. Currently 104 entities were involved, covering more than 130,000ha. Kiwi Coast supported and linked projects to build continuous trapping networks across the landscape to boost kiwi survival and allow their safe dispersal into new areas.

A $500 spot prize of pest control products, sponsored by Key Industries, had been won by Tapuhi Landcare, working on the fringe of Russell State Forest to stem the flow of pests and revive ancient northern rata trees ravaged by possums.

“By working together we’re making a huge difference to Northland, and we’re seeing the results of that with increased bird song, healthier forests and stable or increasing kiwi numbers in many areas,” Kiwi Coast Trust chairman Dr John Craig said. “Kiwi Coast works with partner the Northland Regional Council to support keen communities with traps, training and pest control strategies to ensure that Northland kiwi are here for generations to come.”