Seven juvenile kea spotted together in the Perth River Valley, April 2020. Image © ZIP Ltd.
We have begun the programme of work to eliminate predators from the Whataroa-Butler catchment area – using the same approach that ZIP successfully used in the neighbouring Perth River valley in 2019. This is the first step towards achieving a Predator Free South Westland.
Just after Easter, we undertook the first of two (planned) non-toxic aerial prefeed baiting applications. The non-toxic prefeed bait is dyed green. This is to make sure it looks identical to the bait we are using to teach kea to avoid bait the next time they come across it.
The toxin application (using bait that has also been dyed green) is expected to be completed by mid June, weather pending.
We will not be preventing public access to the area while we are working there. Prior to toxic baiting, warning signs will be placed at each hut. Water supplies will be temporarily disconnected until the bait is cleared from the immediate surrounds. Toxic bait will also be cleared from public tracks immediately after sowing.