Ground-based toxin applications such as this could potentially eliminate the need for future aerial applications of 1080 on Karioi, news well-received in our community. The biggest advantage of a ground-based application (over an aerial drop) is that all bait deployed is physically contained, specifically targeting predators, and minimises access by non-targeted species.

Of course, the Karioi Project will continue to use a variety of traps, regularly checked and maintained by 100+ dedicated volunteers. Bait now added to our tool box should yield even better results for local biodiversity with a target residual catch rate of less than 5%.

Jon Thomson, volunteering with the recent deployment, can see the benefit of using targeted toxins because “when a trap has been sprung, there is no remaining control until it is reset, whereas bait will remain active until it is all eaten/becomes unpalatable/is removed.” The team of rangers will continue to regularly monitor pest numbers and respond on an on-need basis.

About the first large-scale deployment, another volunteer Chris Aitchison says that “it was a good mission and [he] really enjoyed being part of it. [He’ll] be back next time for sure!” The help from our volunteers is much appreciated by our rangers since these are very labour-intensive endeavours. The Karioi Project will be reaching out to more volunteers to pitch in for these big, yet very satisfying days in Karioi’s ngahere. The next deployment will take place in March 2022. Reach out to Jasmine if you’d like to help out at karioi.volunteer@arocha.org