LINZ Tackles Rabbits in Canterbury
30 June 2008
LINZ began rabbit control operations in June over 4000 hectares of Crown-administered Canterbury riverbeds.
It is the largest operation of its type LINZ has carried out, and comes at a time when rabbit populations have increased markedly, causing concern in rural communities about their impact.
LINZ portfolio manager David Morgan said rabbits were being tackled at several open riverbed sites on the Clarence, Hapuku, Waiau, Hurunui, Rakaia, Maerewhenua and Hakataramea rivers.
The sites were identified by Environment Canterbury, which is responsible for monitoring populations and coordinating control efforts under its Regional Pest Management Strategy.
David said the control programmes would complement efforts by adjoining landowners.
"We are pleased with the support we have received from the rural community and Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu for this work. What we're doing will provide positive socio-economic and land management benefits for farmers and local communities," David said.
Resource consents for each operation were issued in May by Environment Canterbury, and extensive consultation has been carried out with adjoining landowners, local communities and Ngai Tahu.
"It has been quite an exercise to ensure that all those who need to be informed have been kept in the picture. We take our biosecurity responsibilities seriously and want to be seen to be responsible landowners," said David.
Most of the work involves ground application of Pindone and 1080 carrot baits. Sites where there is a higher potential for public use (on the Clarence, Hapuku and Maerewhenua riverbeds) are being treated solely with Pindone, and 1080 will not be laid where there is a risk of baits entering water.
Two large and difficult to access riverbed sites on the Waiau are being treated with 1080 applied by helicopter.
David said the public had been urged to treat the control sites with caution for six months.
"There is no health risk in using areas treated with 1080 or Pindone as long as bait is not handled, children are supervised, and animals are not taken from treated areas for eating. Consent for each operation is received from the Medical Officer of Health, and independent water quality monitoring is carried out after the treatment."
Find full details of the control programme, including public notices and maps, in Canterbury Rabbit Control 2008 and LINZ's pest animals control programme.
