Rat footprints have been discovered inside Tarapuruhi Bushy Park, near Whanganui, during a major incursion response, Forest & Bird confirmed today.
A fallen tree from a neighbouring property provided a bridge over the sanctuary’s predator-proof fence in a recent storm, creating a potential entry point for pests. Swift action was immediately taken to remove the downed tree, and emergency monitoring, bait, and trapping measures were activated.
No evidence of predation on wildlife has been detected so far, but operations are ongoing.
Forest & Bird, alongside the Tarapuruhi Bushy Park Trust, local iwi Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi, DOC, Horizons Regional Council, and volunteers, have all been part of this intensive trapping and monitoring programme.
Ali Meade, Forest & Bird’s group manager for conservation project delivery says: “We are throwing everything we can at this response, as the integrity of Tarapuruhi Bushy Park’s predator fence and the sanctuary’s pest free status is critical to protecting our native species.
“Staff and volunteers are searching for any signs of rats, mustelids, possums, or feral cats within the sanctuary – in case any other predators used the tree as a bridge to enter the sanctuary.
“To protect our precious manu and ensure their safety, we’ve also brought in mustelid and rat detection dogs and set up extra tracking tunnels, cameras, bait stations, and traps.”
Ms Meade says the size of the 98-hectare sanctuary means that while they have received help from volunteers, DOC, and Horizons Regional Council, it has not been possible to check the whole park on every sweep.
Tarapuruhi Bushy Park is seeking local volunteers with good backcountry skills to support the trapping and monitoring mahi. If you can help, please join the cause.
“Volunteers are the core of supporting conservation mahi at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park, and anyone wanting to assist with this incursion response would be most welcome,” says Bill Fleury, Tarapuruhi Bushy Park Trust Chair.
If you are unable to physically help and you’d still like to assist with a donation towards some of the costs for ongoing monitoring, please go here.
Forest & Bird is committed to ensuring the long-term security of Tarapuruhi Bushy Park’s unique ecosystem.