DOC reveals 1080 bird deaths

The Department of Conservation says a West Coast research project has found that three fernbirds out of 30 being monitored have died from 1080 poisoning.
West Coast technical support officer Tim Shaw said the birds were radio tracked through a recent 1080 operation in the Ianthe forest, 50km south of Hokitika.
“Some loss of individual birds was anticipated but the results indicate 1080 has a low population impact on this species, particularly as these birds are very good breeders, and they are now heading into a breeding season with a much reduced predator threat,” Mr Shaw said.
The research project targeted fernbird habitat
in the Ianthe forest, which was part of the
Animal Health Board aerial poisoning programme to control bovine Tb by targeting possums.
Mr Shaw said the 1080-laced pellets were highly effective against possums and rats, but native birds were “far less susceptible” to the toxin.
The cereal-based poison pellets were spiked with cinnamon to deter native birds.
Initially, 36 fernbirds were fitted with mini-ature transmitters, however five transmitters were dropped early in the study and a sixth fernbird was killed by a predator.
He said the research tracked a statistically robust sample of 30 fernbirds through a long dry period following a standard aerial 1080 operation using RS5 cereal baits sown at the rate of 2kg a hectare.
“There were 15 days of dry weather following the operation, which arguably provided us with a worst case scenario for length of exposure for this species.”
While the benefits from 1080 for fernbirds were not being considered in the study, Mr Shaw said it was reasonable to expect benefits to those proven for similar native species such as bush robin.
“Bush robin have a broadly similar ecology to fernbirds and a study of bush robins has shown a 700% increase in fledgling success in 1080 areas — despite an initial mortality of around 10% of birds.”
Harihari farmer Mary Molloy, from Farmers Against Ten Eighty, said three out of 30 birds was still a high percentage.
“Of the total population of fernbirds it
probably equates to hundreds (killed by 1080). I’m not comfortable with killing any native bird.”
Mr Shaw said the final analysis of the results of the research would include recommendations of what further research was required.