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1080 Suspected in Disappearance of Birds

1080 Suspected in Disappearance of Birds

Not one bird of an endangered species has been found since an aerial drop of 1080 in the Kahurangi National Park which began in September, says New Zealand First.

“To hear reports over the holiday season that none of the 26 rock wren monitored by DOC in the Kahurangi National Park have been seen since the latest 1080 drop is appalling,” says Outdoor Recreation Spokesperson Richard Prosser.

“The government must place an immediate moratorium on the aerial use of 1080 – this incident could be clear evidence it is killing off our native birds, not saving them.

“The use of 1080 is inhumane and is an indiscriminate poison banned in most of the world.

“I absolutely agree we need to eliminate predators of our native wildlife, but not at the expense of them.

“To suggest that the only truly alpine bird in New Zealand which over-winters in the alpine zone could have disappeared due to snow is ludicrous.

“Another suggestion from DOC that the disappearance of the rock wren is due to possible predatory activity doesn’t wash either, especially given that the reason for the 1080 programme was the incidence of rats due to a beech seed mast – rats don’t live at the altitude of the rock wren.

“Monitored rock wrens in the control area outside the drop zone, with the same snow conditions and the same predators – or lack of them – appear to be all present and correct, and in good health.

“It appears therefore that it is the 1080 itself which is killing the birds DOC claim to be trying to protect – it’s not like the missing wrens have gone away on a summer holiday.

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“To get rid of rats and stoats we need to get people beating their feet to do proper and adequately resourced ground operations.

“I will be asking the Minister of Conservation Maggie Barry what went wrong in the beautiful Kahurangi and if, as I suspect, 1080 is indeed the culprit the Minister, Little Miss Gardener, needs to take responsibility for the loss.

“We need a moratorium, answers not excuses, and responsible Ministers,” says Mr Prosser.

ENDS


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