NOTIFICATION ABOUT PREDATOR CONTROL IN THE DART, CAPLES AND ROUTEBURN VALLEYS

Oct 9, 2022

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Kia ora koutou,

This email is to notify you that the Department of Conservation (DOC) is planning a rat and stoat control operation in the Dart, Routeburn and Caples Valleys in November/December 2022. These operations will involve the aerial spread of cereal baits containing sodium fluoroacetate (1080) toxin over public land within Tititea/Mt Aspiring National Park and surrounding Conservation Areas.

These operations are part of DOC’s National Predator Control Programme and are in response to a predicted beech mast in the area this summer. If this mast occurs it will trigger a population explosion of rodents which could seriously threaten the survival of the mohua populations in these valleys, and negatively impact other native species. Please see the attached fact sheet explaining operational details and a proposed map. Key points are:

Timing

This operation will consist of 1-2 days for sowing non-toxic prefeed, and (1-6 weeks later) a further 1-2 days for sowing toxic bait.

The pre-feed operation will start any time from 1 November 2022, with the toxic operation 1-6 weeks after this. The exact timing of both these operations is weather dependent.

You will receive another email at least 24hrs before each of the non-toxic and toxic operations.

Closures

Access to parts of the Routeburn, Caples, Lake Sylvan, and Dart tracks will be restricted for the duration of bait spreading in these areas. This is anticipated to be the morning of the first day of both the pre-feed and toxic operations. 

The Dart road will be closed from the Mill Creek Cattle stop to the end of the Dart Track for up to three days for each of the pre-feed and toxic operations

People planning to visit these areas after 1 November are advised to check with the DOC Whakatipu Visitor’s Center on 03 442 7935 first for possible delays.

If you would like any further information about the planned operations, or have any questions or concerns, please contact NPCPWhakatipu@doc.govt.nz or 03 442 7933.

You will receive a minimum of 24hr notice before both the non-toxic and toxic operations. These notifications will be by email and could be over the weekend. If you do not wish to receive any further correspondence regarding this operation, or if you would like to update the contact details we have for you, please let us know on NPCPWhakatipu@doc.govt.nz.

Ngā mihi,

Department of Conservation

Whakatipu-wai-Māori District

Related documents:

• NPCP Notification Factsheet Dart Caples (PDF, 1.31 MB)