Since the possum control operations are happening close to the city of Dunedin, pet owners need to be mindful of the safety of their pets when walking them.
Dunedin TB response
The areas around the city of Dunedin are a focus of particular attention because we have found TB-infected livestock and wildlife there. Pest control operations designed to eradicate the disease are happening in several areas near the city.
Why we are undertaking possum control
All cattle and deer herds around Dunedin are clear of TB. This is great progress considering there have been 7 herd infections since 2015.
However, we have still not achieved TB freedom from possums, the main transmitters of TB from wildlife to farmed cattle and deer. To achieve TBfree programme’s goal of eradicating TB in wildlife by 2040, we need targeted possum control and wildlife surveillance.
Since the work began in 2015, we have removed over 20,000 possums. The map shows the areas of Dunedin where different types of operations are happening:
- ground and survey operations
- aerial and survey operations
- survey operations
- ground operations.
When herds in the area first became infected, wildlife surveys found infected possums around Mount Cargill.
Mount Cargill ground operation
Possum control operation is scheduled to take place between 18 September and 10 November 2023. The operation will use leg hold traps exclusively, which inspected on a daily basis. These traps will be positioned 20 meters away from walking tracks and discreetly placed out of sight.
Affected reserves within the boundary are:
- Sulivans Dam
- Mt Cargill
- Bethunes Gully
- Stevensons Bush.
Trapping warning signs will be put up at all public access points while traps are in place.
Flagstaff City Forest possum control
Flagstaff City Forest will be closed to the public from 11 September to 15 October 2023 due to ongoing roading operations and OSPRI's TBfree possum control efforts.
This work covers 1380 hectares in the Flagstaff Forest at Three Mile Hill. The pest control activities will involve the use of leg hold traps and Feratox toxin.
Please check any warning signs at the entrances and avoid entering the operational area as traps will be placed along roads and tracks.
This marks the third year of possum control in the Flagstaff Forest. So far, over 1800 possums have been removed from this forestry block.
Mount Allan aerial control
We completed an aerial possum control operation at Mount Allan in August 2022. The area is no longer under caution from 1080. All toxic warning signs have been removed.
Operators' contact details
| Operation | Contact details |
|
Mount Cargill ground operation |
High Country Contracting Ltd Phone: 0508 767 786 |
| Flagstaff City Forest possum control |
Contract Wild Animal Control NZL Phone: 0800 292 269 |
| Mount Allan aerial control |
Contract Wild Animal Control NZL Phone: 0800 292 269 |
OSPRI Dunedin office
Phone: 03 477 9829
Email: cr_ssi@ospri.co.nz
OSPRI-HALO Project Collaboration
We are excited to be working with the Halo Project to support establishing a long-term volunteer possum-trapping network in urban communities in Dunedin.
Information for pet owners
There are strict safety, quality assurance and monitoring requirements for the use of pest control techniques. The toxins used pose an extremely low poisoning risk to pets. To minimise primary poisoning, bait will be in bait stations or bags, and there will be no toxins or traps within 20 metres of, or in sight of tracks. The toxins are slow-acting and dogs would need to eat a number of carcasses (possums or rats) to be affected.
- Keep your dogs on a lead in the area while warning signs are in place.
- If you think your pet has been poisoned, contact your local vet for help or advice.
For more information on where to walk your dog, visit the Dunedin City Council website. You can call OSPRI’s Dunedin office on 03 477 9829 if you're interested in a free dog muzzle.
Cats are not targeted in OSPRI operations. Toxins are not attractive to cats. However, trapping will be used in places, so we recommend keeping cats away from possum control operational areas.
Biodiversity benefits to Dunedin
Large-scale pest control also benefits native wildlife. Possums eat native plants and are a major predator of our native birds, preying on eggs and chicks. By keeping possum numbers low with targeted pest control, native wildlife and bush get a chance to thrive.
However, kākā are present around Dunedin and may access bait stations. So we give careful consideration to the methods we use in any possible kākā habitat.
As well as working with the Halo Project in urban areas, we are collaborating with other Predator Free Dunedin partners to develop a succession plan that ensures the gains made by TB control work continue beyond TB eradication.
Challenges in Dunedin's TB response
The operations around Dunedin involve a wide variety of terrain, from urban areas to rural farmland, forest and scrub — both flat and mountainous. The damp coastal vegetation hosts high numbers of possums.
Possums aren’t the only ones using the area. The TB management area is on the city’s doorstep and hosts large numbers of dog walkers, trampers and mountain bikers. The balance between the efficacy and cost of control methods, and the needs of recreational users is an important part of discussions with landowners.
Research papers
Cost-effective control of TB in the Northern South Island High Country (NSIHC): Identifying the habitats and vector species requiring control — (R-80629) Byrom A, Nugent G, Yockney I, Poutu N, Whitford J, McKenzie J, Shepherd J, Porphyre T 2007. LC0708/033. 85p.
Spatial prediction of brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) distribution using a combination of remotely sensed and field-observed environmental data — Porphyre, T., McKenzie, J., Byrom, A. E., Nugent, G., Shepherd, J., & Yockney, I. 2014. Wildlife Research, 40(7), 578-587.
Reduced spillover transmission of Mycobacterium bovis to feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in New Zealand following population control of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) — Nugent, G.; Whitford, J. Yockney, I.J.; Cross, M.L. 2012. Epidemiology and Infection 140: 1036–1047.
Relative utility of TB hosts as sentinels for detecting TB — Nugent, G.; Whitford, J. 2008. Animal Health Board Project No. R-10652. Landcare Research Contract Report: LC0708/032. 38