700kg rat poison dropped into kakapo reserve by mistake

01/07/2010 10:04:41 Conservation programme on hold during investigation
July 2010: A storage pod containing 700kg of rat poison was being transported by helicopter to Indian Island in Fiordland, New Zealand when it detached in flight over nearby Anchor Island - home to the endangered kakapo.

The rare kakapo

The pod containing the brodifacoum cereal pellet bait was seen to land in a large freshwater lake. Eight hectares of land surrounding the lake has been searched and no pellets have been found.

‘I am concerned that this has happened and a full review of the safety procedures and practices is underway to ensure such an incident does not occur again,' says Australia's Minister of Conservation Ms Wilkinson. ‘Anchor Island is home to endangered kakapo and the immediate response of Department of Conservation staff on the ground was to ensure the birds were not at any risk. Two kakapo in the vicinity of the lake have been removed to another island as a precaution.

‘It is highly likely all the poisoned baits landed in the lake. Brodificaum does break down in water and DOC will continuously monitor the lake over the coming weeks to judge what, if any, ecological impact the spill has had.

‘The rat eradication operation on Indian Island has been put on hold while inquiries into the incident are carried out.'