Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 15 October 2025
Initial results are in from the August aerial 1080 operation to protect the critically endangered pukunui. Monitoring shows feral cats and possums have been reduced to such low levels that they were undetectable for at least three weeks after the operation. The 40,000 ha operational area includes a large portion of the remaining pukunui breeding sites in the Tin Range and surrounding forest.
Department of Conservation Southern South Island Operations Director Aaron Fleming says pukunui now have their best chance in years at raising a new generation of chicks.
“This spring marks the first time in recent memory we’re entering a breeding season filled with cautious hope and optimism,” Aaron says.
“Feral cats are the number one predator of pukunui. Every year, despite trapping, hunting and other ground-based measures, pukunui numbers were sliding closer to extinction.
“With a population of just 105, pukunui are far from out of the woods, but clearing out feral cats across this important habitat will help improve the odds of survival and population growth for these ‘under-birds’.”
A network of more than 300 trail cameras was set up to monitor introduced predators before and after the 1080 operation. So far, DOC has gathered and analysed more than 400,0000 images to measure the abundance of feral cats and possums.
The results received so far are clear, says Aaron.
“Prior to the operation, feral cats and possums were widespread in the 40,000ha operational area. Following it, we’ve had no detections for at least three weeks.
“While this is encouraging, our cameras have picked up plenty of feral cats roaming outside of the control zone and over time, they will reinvade.
“Our camera network will monitor the reinvasion, and we will see if the operation covered enough ground to enable a successful breeding season as part of the Pukunui Recovery Project.
“Our rangers are continuing to run an extensive trapping network to provide an extra layer of protection.”
The available data also shows no negative impact on the kiwi population, as expected, says Aaron.
Hundreds of thousands more images are still to be processed from cameras setup to monitor rats, along with three more weeks’ worth of cat images. These results will be shared as soon as they are available.
The pukunui aerial 1080 operation was led by DOC with support from Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP).
ZIP also undertook an eradication trial targeting three species of rats across 6,500 hectares within the pukunui operational area to inform Predator Free Rakiura. Trail cameras are also being used to measure the results of the eradication trial, and there are about 1.5 million images to process, mostly by eye, to identify and differentiate between the three different rat species.
In the meantime, DOC rangers are surveying for pukunui nests at multiple breeding sites across Rakiura. So far, they have found at least seven nests says Aaron.
“Counting nests and eggs when there is a real chance they might survive through to adulthood is naturing at its very best. We’re thrilled to be starting this breeding season on such a positive note.”
Nest surveying will continue through the breeding season until December with more eggs – and ultimately chicks – expected. The Pukunui Recovery project aims to rebuild the population from 105 to at least 300 by 2035.
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