A decision by Oruawharo Medlands Ecovision (OME) to deploy rat poison across over 1,000 hectares in the south of the island has sparked outcry from locals, following a notice quietly issued in the council-supported Aotea Advocate community flyer. The controversial plan will see diphacinone, a first-generation anticoagulant, placed in bait boxes across several key conservation areas to bring the rat population under control.
OME, chaired by Raoul Stuart, has confirmed that the rat control program will begin on October 1, 2024, and run until January 1, 2026. The program will target areas such as the Tryphena Scenic Reserve and the Medlands Wildlife Management Reserve, with a specific focus on the latter’s wetland, which OME says suffers from “consistently high” rat numbers.
“The pesticide will be pulsed in safe Philproof bait boxes,” the group stated, adding that the first area to be targeted is the Medlands wetlands. From there, the operation will expand to three blocks within Aotea Conservation Park and Oruawharo Creek Government Purpose Reserve.
However, not everyone is on board. Several concerned residents who reached out to AoteaGBI.news voiced their fears about the impact on the local environment and wildlife. “We’re really worried about secondary poisoning,” one local said. “What if birds of prey or even our pets get into contact with poisoned rats? It could be devastating.”
Another islander pointed out the risks to native species. “There’s a lot of talk about protecting birds, but this could end up harming the very animals they’re trying to save,” they added, calling for a more transparent discussion on the matter.
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Well, I had completely missed this news & I’m sure many others have too. Thank you for covering it & I’ll be doing my bit to let others know too now.
Best of the baits! Traps not going to do the job on their own!