Media Release
Solid Energy predator control refinements ensure weka are not put at risk
1 February 2007
Solid Energy is working with the Department of Conservation (DoC) to ensure the company's voluntary predator control programme on the Stockton plateau near Westport is not endangering weka.
Mark Pizey, Solid Energy's National Environmental Manager, says the voluntary programme has been running since September 2005 with the aim of preserving and enhancing the area's biodiversity. It does this by protecting both native species and plantings at the mine's rehabilitation areas and the area of the proposed Cypress Opencast Mine.
The predator and pest control programme includes DoC managed land to the east of the mine. It targets rats and stoats with ground-placed bait and trap stations, and possums with traps raised at least 700mm above ground level. Reducing the numbers of rats, stoats, and possums translates into conservation gains for vegetation and wildlife.
Mr Pizey says that when concerns were raised about weka having access to the traps and bait stations, Solid Energy sought advice from DoC technical staff. Their advice was that while the risk to weka from the poison baits was very low, minor changes to the bait stations would eliminate the risk altogether. Likewise minor changes to the traps would also see the risk to weka eliminated completely. These modifications to both the traps and bait stations are now being put in place and will be completed by the end of February.
Solid Energy believes the poison baits - which target rats - pose a very low risk to weka. There is very little active poison in each bait and international research suggests birds of a similar size to weka would have to consume many times their own body weight in baits to fatally poison themselves.
"Wekas are wonderfully curious and persistent but it is stretching belief to think that this is possible," says Mr Pizey. "We will continue to work constructively with the department's staff to achieve the best outcome for this programme."
The entire control operation covers 1,232 hectares on the eastern side of the mine area, north of Westport on the West Coast. The programme includes Solid Energy freehold land, approximately 403 hectares of DoC-managed land and areas administered by other Crown agencies. Greymouth-based contractor Mike Bygate Contracting Ltd has all the necessary approvals to carry out the work for Solid Energy.
DoC recently approved a plan which could see the total area expanded to 3,162 hectares, including up to 945 hectares of DoC-managed land. Mr Pizey says an expanded area will be considered if future monitoring shows more widespread control would be of value.
For further information contact:
Vicki Blyth
Communications Director
Telephone: 03 345 6000
Mobile: 021 670 250
Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd
Notes to editors
This programme is in addition to predator control required under conditions laid down in Wildlife Permits granted by the Minister of Conservation and Associate Minister of Energy to move a population of native snails to an area which will not be mined.
Solid Energy's 30 September 2005 media release at the programme's commencement is here on the web.
