Mount Cargill TB Management Area (TMA)

Eradicating bovine TB in NZ

As part of our TBfree programme we deliver our pest control operations through a framework of TB management areas (TMAs). TMAs are areas with known TB infection in livestock or wildlife. Each TMA has a specific TB control plan designed to eradicate TB as effectively as possible.

The Mount Cargill TMA

The Mount Cargill TMA covers 12,450 hectares, and is located on the flanks of Mount Cargill near Dunedin. It extends to State Highway 1 in the west and Otago Harbour in the east, with the northern boundary consisting of farmland. Dunedin City is the main southern boundary.

The habitat consists of areas of native bush, pine forest and farmland.

History of TB and pest control in Mount Cargill

The Mount Cargill TMA has a long history of TB infection. We identified:

• 5 infected herds in 2015/2016, and
• 3 infected herds in 2017/2018.

Initial investigations suggested the infections came from wildlife. Following wildlife surveillance, TB was found in a cluster of possums on or next to the properties with the infected herds. The area subsequently became part of the Otago Vector Risk Area and extensive possum control operations began.

We completed ground control in:

• Flagstaff in 2018/2019, and
• Flagstaff, Heyward and Mount Cargill in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021
• Mount Cargill in 2022/2023.

We also completed a ferret survey in Mount Cargill in 2022/2023.

Current state

As of June 2023, there are no infected herds in the Mount Cargill TMA.

Future pest control operations

We plan our pest control operations up to 3 years in advance. The current year runs from July 2023 to June 2024.

Dates and control methods for pest control operations in Mount Cargill are provisional and subject to change. If you’re affected by any upcoming operations, our pest control contractors will contact you before work begins. They will:

• talk you through the specifics of each operation
• explain what you need to do before the operations start
• get your consent for the work to be done.

Map of 2023/2024 pest control operations

The proposed area for ground control is marked in green on the map, and the proposed areas for wildlife surveillance are marked in blue.

Interactive map showing Mount Cargill TB management area boundaries, Vector Control Zone, and proposed control areas.

Contacts

Rentokil Initial manages eradication activities in the Mount Cargill TMA. Contact them directly if you have feedback or questions about upcoming operations.

Rentokil Initial

Phone: 0508 767 786
Email: info@highcountrycontracting.co.nz

Nearest local OSPRI office

OSPRI Dunedin office
PO Box 5745
Moray Place
Dunedin 9058
Phone: 03 477 9829
Email: cr_ssi@ospri.co.nz