Specially trained dog tracks rat on rodent free island

April 2008. A specially trained rodent detection dog was the star of the rat catching operation on rodent free Motuihe Island after he sniffed his way to a female Norway rat soon after his arrival. 

Home to Endangered Species

The dog was part of a major Department of Conservation(DOC) rat hunt, sparked when rat footprints were found in tracking tunnels on the island.  Motuihe is free of animal pests, and home to threatened species such as the saddleback and NZ dotterel, meaning the presence of a rat on the island was a major blow.

DOC Biodiversity Manager, Phil Brown, said having a rat on the island was a real risk, so it was great to catch it so quickly. It is vitally important to keep islands in the Hauraki Gulf free of pests.

"Everyone has a responsibility to check their boats and gear before leaving the mainland, so we don't end up with this type of situation," he said.

DOC will continue checking the island to ensure there are no more rats present, including having another dog check the island. DOC will also be checking neighbouring pest free islands to make sure they are free of rats.