21 September 2007

A tame ferret has been spotted relaxing in the sun on a resident’s deck in Oneroa, Waiheke Island, and traps have been set to try to catch it.

The animal was reportedly seen by Liz and Jeff Mitchell at their property at 140 Delamore Drive, Oneroa, which overlooks Matiatia. Liz and Jeff say the ferret appeared tame, and came up on to their deck to sun itself. It disappeared when they went to get their camera.

“Ferrets may seem cute and cuddly, but they are sly, sneaky animals and a major threat to New Zealand’s native wildlife,” says Andy Spence, ARC biosecurity officer on Waiheke.

“The breeding, sale and distribution of ferrets were prohibited throughout the Auckland region in 2002, after the Government removed protections for the breeding of ferrets nationally.

“Existing pets were allowed to live out the remainder of their natural lives, but no pet ferrets should now exist on Waiheke.

“However, it seems one lucky ferret has had its big day out.

“Any ferrets on Waiheke are escaped or released pets, or descended from them.

“If people know of anyone keeping a ferret for a pet, or have seen a ferret on the island, please give me a call right away,” Andy says.

Andy has set traps near the Mitchell property in the hope of catching the animal.
In August 2002, the ARC welcomed the guilty plea from people caught walking their pet ferrets on a Great Barrier Island beach the previous January. They had also walked them on Waiheke.
The defendents received a $2600 fine in the Auckland District Court and the ARC was awarded legal costs.

Great Barrier Island and Waiheke Island lie within the Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area, which was declared under the Biosecurity Act 1993. The declaration of the Controlled Area makes it an offence to take any animal pest, such as ferrets, rats, feral goats, possums, stoats or weasels, into the Hauraki Gulf or on to any of the islands of the Gulf. The offence carries a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine or five years imprisonment.

Ferrets are the largest of the three introduced mustelids, with stoats and weasels. Ferrets have a strong sense of smell and are very good climbers. They can steal eggs and chicks from nests in trees and are capable of killing adult kiwi, little blue penguins, lizards, eels and small mammals. They can transmit bovine tuberculosis to cattle and deer, which has very serious implications for New Zealand’s farming industry.

Ferrets are the size of a small cat, usually about 50cm long including the tail. They have a creamy coloured coat and black tips to the fur.

Stoats are smaller, about 34 to 40 cm long, including the tail and uniformly dark brown with light bellies. Trapping is currently the only option for removing ferret and stoats. Research is underway to find other ways of protecting our native species from them.

Regional pest management is the responsibility of the ARC under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

ENDS

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