DOC calls out fake 1080 claims

The Department of Conservation has struck back against opponents of the use of 1080 to control predators, saying some people are ignoring the facts about the poison in favour of ‘‘fake news’’.

‘‘Don’t be fooled by fake news’’ is the headline on an article in DOC’s conservation blog, which is one of the first items visible on its website. The blog refers to the case involving a picture of about

50 dead kiwi killed in the Kerikeri area by animals over three years.

‘‘Anti-1080 people took this image without permission and falsely claimed the cause of death was 1080,’’ the DOC blog said.

‘‘We rely on external, independent, scientific advice to assess risks associated with 1080 use.

‘‘When used in accordance with New Zealand regulations,

1080 presents little risk to humans or the environment.

‘‘Yet some are ignoring the facts in favour of fake news.

‘‘Don’t get swayed – here’s the truth,’’ it says, then refers to several aspects of the use of 1080.

Only about 0.15 per cent of a pellet is 1080 – that’s 9 milligrams, or about the weight of a third of a grain of rice, in a 6 gram pellet, the blog says. The 1080 is highly soluble in water. If a bait pellet gets into water, the 0.15 per cent that is 1080 starts to leach out and dilute immediately, with the 1080 bio-degrading into non-toxic products.

‘‘Do your background research, and if something sounds so outlandish it’s a wonder that the New Zealand Government allow it – they probably don’t. Our job is to save native species through reasonable and strictly regulated means.’’

The use of 1080 is an emotive issue, with thousands of opponents marching around the country in September.

Eight cows died in Waikato in September after an aerial drop of 1080. The incident is being independently reviewed and DOC has said a gate was pushed over, which may have given the cows access to where bait was dropped.

On the weekend, a dog was euthanised after she started vomiting a bright green substance following a walk through the Hunua Ranges, south of Auckland. The area had just been reopened after an aerial 1080 drop.

It’s thought the dog died from poisoning, either from 1080 or slug bait.