Stoats cleared from Resolution Island

DoC worker Shinji Kameyama checking traps on Resolution Island. Photo supplied by DoC

August 2008. In 1908 early conservationist Richard Henry left Resolution Island in New Zealand's Fiordland, his dream of an island sanctuary for endangered birds shattered by the arrival of stoats onto the island. One hundred years later the battle to restore Henry's dream has leapt forwards with the removal of 258 stoats from the island in the first fortnight of the NZ Department of Conservation's (DoC) trapping programme.

2300 traps
Eighteen DoC staff and volunteers spent two weeks in July baiting, setting and checking 2300 traps over the island's 230km network of tracks.

"Actually starting to remove the stoats from Resolution Island is a significant milestone along the road to creating what will be a major wildlife sanctuary." said Murray Willans, Department of Conservation Biodiversity Manager in Te Anau. "We've been working towards this for quite a few years and it's great to see it finally happening."

Mid winter trapping is most effective
Based on previous island pest control programmes DoC rangers expect the 258 stoats removed in July will be the majority of stoats found on the island. Mid-winter is a time when food supplies are low and stoats are consequently easier to encourage to visit traps. The traps on Resolution were all pre-baited twice to encourage stoats to visit them.

In 2004, the Government announced funding for the removal of stoats and deer from both Secretary and Resolution Islands in Fiordland National Park. The funding covers a 10 year period.

Resolution Island
Resolution covers some 210 square kilometres and is the fifth largest of New Zealand's off shore islands. "For a number of years DoC has been successfully eradicating predators on smaller islands. We've proven we can really make a difference to endangered species, but Resolution is the 'big league'. The sheer size and the variety of habitats on Resolution Island means controlling stoats and deer will be of major benefit to a variety of wildlife. Stoats are the reason there are no ground birds such as kakapo or kiwi or other vulnerable birds such as saddleback and kokako on Resolution Island." Said Mr Willans

"First Conservationist"
DOC has been planning the Resolution Island restoration programme since 2001, but credits the dream to Richard Henry. He was the first person to use islands as wildlife sanctuaries and DoC rangers admit to having learnt a lot from his early attempts at island based conservation. Birds such as Little Spotted Kiwi, Kakapo and saddleback only survive now on off-shore islands.

"With so many stoats already removed from the island we expect to see quite dramatic changes on Resolution Island", said Mr Willans. "I've no doubt that following spring breeding, with so many more young birds able to survive; the benefit to birdlife will be obvious as early as this summer."