Visitors reminded of toxin risks as the Hunua Ranges reopen for summer

Auckland Council has reopened the Hunua Ranges, Waharau and Whakatiwai in time for summer following the final application of 1080 bait last month. The operation targeted rats, stoats and possums to protect native species, particularly the endangered kokako which continues to make a remarkable recovery in the ranges.

Regional parks manager Scott De Silva emphasised that caution signs will remain in place for six months to remind visitors that bait and carcasses may still be present. Dog owners are asked to stay away during this period due to the high risk the toxin poses to dogs. Children should also be closely supervised.

Treating a 23,000 hectare area that includes a major water catchment and public recreation spaces required detailed planning. Weather conditions provided an ongoing challenge. Staff and volunteers walked more than 700 kilometres of tracks to clear bait and carcasses following each treatment block. Monitoring will take place over the coming months to assess how well possum and rat numbers have been reduced.

Councillor Richard Hills noted the importance of the operation for the kokako population. From a single breeding pair in 1994 there are now 250 pairs building nests for the current breeding season.

For parks professionals this is a reminder of the scale and care required to manage predator control in landscapes that carry both ecological and public access responsibilities. Balancing visitor safety, biodiversity outcomes and water supply protection reflects the complexity of modern regional park management.

To read the original article from RNZ click here.