Thread: Whataroa kea

Its a big risk to drop 1080 into such an important kea habitat when its well known how inquisitive and curious the kea are by their nature.
They have witnessed them eating the prefeed so its a given they will eat the 1080 pellets.
The carcasses of tahr have been scattered through the area since the beginning of the tahr ballot and yet they are still consuming prefeed baits so how will this help to distract them from the bait?

Its a difficult issue as the possum problem needs addressed but its a huge gamble to use aerial 1080 and given the fact they are consuming prefeed then is it prudent to continue?

What percentage of kea mortality will be acceptable given the net benefits to the envirnoment?

This reference to eradication is nonsense., We were camped in the Whataroa in March 2012 following a 1080 operation which aimed to eradicate possums. No doubt it was effective; there was no sign of any possums.........or deer.........or birdsong.
So that "eradication operation" has lasted 6 years and still DOC's propaganda machine rolls on.