From Tony Orman, (Spokesman for the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations)
Some outdoor recreation-conservation groups are calling for a revision of the Department of Conservation priorities and targets following a recent National Radio interview with the department’s newly appointed director-general Penny Nelson.
The new director general of DoC has taken over from Lou Sanson, after holding senior roles both with the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
DoC is responsible for managing one-third of the country’s landmass and some say it’s time for fundamental reform.
DoC head Penny Nelson says there needs to be conversation about what people want conservation to look like.
Laurie Collins of the Sporting Hunters Outdoor Trust welcomed the opportunity.
“That conversation is much needed,” he says. “In my opinion a change is needed. “Bureaucrats often with ideological bents have had too much influence.”
Tony Orman, spokesman for the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations said the organisation in its successive election charters had called for a revision of DoC’s priorities.
“The charter says reorder priorities of DoC to make its three main priorities conservation, the environment and recreation, instead of its diversion into commercial undertakings,” he says. “Also the name be changed to Department of Conservation and Outdoor Recreation to emphasize its basic function.”
Tony Orman says DoC’s culture needs to change to embrace ecological reality.
“DoC must protect and maintain the public’s conservation estate to embrace the evolved 21st century ecosystem and not try to recreate and preserve a hypothetical 500 AD world.”
Peter Trolove – DoC has failed to back Water Conservation Orders to protect rivers
Dr. Peter Trolove president of the NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers, an advocacy for trout and salmon and rivers, said it had been disappointing in the light of the deterioration in rivers, to see little or no support from the department for Water Conservation Orders (WCO) designed to give waterways national park type protection.
“WCOs are being undermined due to commercial exploitation for irrigation and power generation. Rivers are a finite resource and habitat not only for trout and salmon but native fish, which should particularly concern DoC.”
Laurie Collins of the Sporting Hunters Outdoor Trust said new DOC director-general Penny Nelson told of audible bird song when living on Kapiti Island. He was critical of the department’s blanketing of public lands with the eco-toxin 1080.
Having worked with the first trials of 1080 and subsequently in department work during his working career, he said 1080 devastated insects and most birds but not all avian species.
“Nectar feeders such as tuis and bell birds – noisy singers – are the least affected. On the other hand, insectivorous bird species, such as bush robins, tomtits, warblers, rifleman and others and predator or scavengers such as falcons, keas and wekas are devastated by the poison.”
Each carcass or invertebrate such as worms killed by 1080 remained toxic. The decline in kiwi feeding on worms after 1080 could well be significant.
Laurie Collins said he was concerned to hear Penny Nelson talk of genetic technology to eradicate “destructive invasive species like possums”. Having worked on possums on departmental work and as a possum trapper, he said the “invasive pest” tag was wrong.
“Possums are demonized. They are a herbivore, not a predator and browsing of foliage has been a function of the ecosystem for millions of years.”
Besides possum populations are low.
“It’s so obvious by noting road kills,” he says. “Nor are they invasive as stated, since possums are slow breeders with one joey a year.”
Laurie Collins said it became a vicious cycle as scare-mongering over possums led to aerial 1080 drops that indiscriminately killed insects and birds.
Possums he said were a resource with the fur fetching over 20 many times the value of crossbred sheep wool.
Laurie Collins says DoC has become trapped in a time warp, with an anti-introduced phobia and an obsession with eco-poisons such as 1080 and brodifacoum.
The new DoC director general has some formidable challenges to get the ship back on a reality course.
“By talking and very importantly listening to and hearing practical people who understand the bush and the natural world, the new captain might steer DoC back on to a sensible course,” he says.
EWR comment: the 1080 issue is still as present as ever. It has been overshadowed more urgently at this blog by the CV VX rollout. The 1080 poisoning however continues, business as usual with currently the East Cape to be slathered with this deadly poison. Sixty years on and we still have the pests? How long does one keep applying a solution that doesn’t work? Meanwhile the beautiful Kea is in serious decline. If you are new to the 1080 problem here in NZ just watch the GrafBoys’ excellent award winning doco ‘Poisoning Paradise‘ & visit their site tv-wild.com. Also see our 1080 pages (main menu). Article below… __________________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT UNPUBLISHED LETTER BY DR. FIONA McQUEEN – THE WANAKA SUN
“…most conservation –minded NZ’ers would be fairly shocked to hear that 1080 actually kills native birds – in any numbers, small or “huge”. This unfortunate fact has been well and truly proven in peer-reviewed studies and is termed “by-kill”. Which species? Tomtits, robins, morepork and kea to name a few… after the 2020 drop in the pristine Matukituki Valley, 50% of DoC’s monitored kea died” Dr Fiona McQueen
From Carol Sawyer
On April 15, 2021, The Wanaka Sun published an opinion piece by Ross Sinclair, committee member of the pro-1080 poison Central Otago Lakes “Forest and Bird”…. incorrect and biased as one might expect. Over the ensuing weeks there were a number of ‘Letters to the Editor’ in opposition to this article. (Notably there were none in support of the opinion piece, although Ross Sinclair was given the right of reply not once, but twice!) One letter was from Dr. Fiona McQueen, consultant rheumatologist at the SDHB, and author of “The Quiet Forest: The Case Against Aerial 1080”. The Sun’s editor, Pat Deavoll, told Dr. McQueen in an email on 19 April that she would “certainly publish it in the next edition- you have made some very good points”. It has never been published. I posted it on Facebook a week ago along with the original opinion piece, with Dr. Fiona McQueen’s permission. Strangely, I shared it to Upper Clutha Community Notices, a local Wanaka Facebook group with more than 7,000 members. It was approved and then quickly deleted and when I pointed this out to one of the admins with whom I have had cordial dealings in the past, it was reinstated. It was deleted again; again I pointed this out and it was reinstated. It appeared there was disagreement among the admins. Finally, after 24 hours or so, comments were turned off, this particular administrator sent me an extremely rude private message, totally uncalled for, referring to “your precious post”, the post was deleted, and she blocked me. Dr. McQueen’s letter STILL has not been published by The Wanaka Sun and yet here in this week’s issue is a letter from John Veysey, commenting on the non-existent letter !! (I thought I must have made a mistake but I have been back through the last 6 weeks of The Wanaka Sun and, no, Dr. Fiona McQueen’s letter has never been published). Here is her letter again, and I have attached John Veysey’s letter to The Wanaka Sun, from this week’s edition, (which must have a few people scratching their heads as no-one reading The Wanaka Sun has ever seen Dr. McQueen’s letter) :
“Dear Sir, I would like to make some comments in response to your recent article, “Putting 1080 to Bed”. Firstly, I would expect that most conservation –minded NZ’ers would be fairly shocked to hear that 1080 actually kills native birds – in any numbers, small or “huge”. This unfortunate fact has been well and truly proven in peer-reviewed studies and is termed “by-kill”. Which species? Tomtits, robins, morepork and kea to name a few. How many are killed? Contrary to Dr Sinclair, I find the data on kea to be extremely alarming. It has been estimated (by DoC) that each poisoning operation will kill, on average, 12% of kea. But sometimes that percentage has been much higher. For example after the 2020 drop in the pristine Matukituki Valley, 50% of DoC’s monitored kea died. “The keas’ deaths will be horrific, with extreme muscular spasms going on for many hours,” said Dr Jo Pollard, PhD, an independent scientist who has crusaded for years against the use of aerial 1080. Personal confirmation of this came to me quite separately from an individual working on a DOC hut during 2020. In the days following a 1080 drop he commented, “the keas were making a really awful noise, it sounded like they might have been screaming …” It is very disturbing that there are so few of these iconic birds to be found now around the West Coast, in areas where they used to be plentiful. DOC says its the stoats. Really? Stoats were introduced more than a hundred years ago. The kea population only seems to have plummeted in the last twenty or so (since intensive and repetitive 1080 drops have been underway in kea habitat). More likely it is something that most definitely kills them in large numbers – 1080. Ross Sinclair has alluded to the recently published paper by Bomans et al, (NZ Journal of Ecology 2021) investigating the effect of 1080 drops on birdsong. True, there was very little difference shown between 1080 and control groups over a period of years (leaving aside the subgroup of tomtits exposed to 1080 where birdsong was reduced). But hold on, shouldn’t there have been a difference? Isn’t that what the whole 1080 programme is supposed to do? Bring back the birdsong? Here is conclusive scientific proof that it is a complete waste of time and money, with a lot of dreadful suffering thrown in for many helpless creatures.
Staff from New Zealand Dept of Conservation are often employed as ‘consultants’ for overseas ‘pest’ eradication projects. One example of such an eradication attempt comes from Wake Atoll, known as ‘Wake Island’ – which is between Hawaii and Guam in the northern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of Wake, (525 ha), Peale (95 ha), and Wilkes Islands (76 ha).
Wake is an unincorporated U.S. territory that is managed by the Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force. About 70 people reside on Wake (military personnel and contractors). Wake has approximately 19 km of coastline and is an important breeding area for many species of seabirds.Importantly, the coastline is also fished by the local residents for sport and food.
In 2012 an aerial brodifacoum poisoning operation took place over the islands to try to eradicate rats. How long brodifacoum persists in the environment is unclear, but we know it can potentially affect the food chain. These residues may impact on fish that are caught by Wake Island residents for sport and consumption. Three months after the poisoning, 5 out of 48 samples had “detectable levels” of poison – toxicologists therefore recommended a 942 day fishing ban after initial testing was done. But how much longer would the pesticide be in the food chain?
In 2015 – THREE YEARS AFTER this aerial operation of brodifacoum – samples from various marine life were taken. The scientists found that some fish (1 of 8 bluefin trevally, and 4 of 4 blacktail snapper, all from within a lagoon) had low but detectable levels of brodifacoum residues.
The scientists suggest that outcomes from their investigation should provide a comprehensive idea of the risks of contamination in marine life over the longer term from using pesticides aerially. In the article, the authors state “All reasonable efforts should be made to minimize unnecessary environmental and nontarget exposures (e.g., through precise application methods) and all risk assessments must consider the specific context of proposed action [poisoning the environment].”
However, an aerial distribution from helicopter of a lethal poison can NEVER be ‘precise’. The environment and the residents’ health have been put at risk.Reference: Siers, Shane R.; Shiels, Aaron B.; Volker, Steven F.; Rex, Kristen; and Pitt, William C., “Brodifacoum residues in fish three years after an island-wide rat eradication attempt in the tropical Pacific” (2020). USDA National Wildlife Research Center – Staff Publications. 2313.https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdm_usdanwrc/2313
Kathy White says: “Remember the Hauraki Gulf brodifacoum poison drop? The dead dolphins, penguins, dogs and toxic sea-slugs? And the DOC man interviewed on TV, lying about having tested the penguins and them being negative. Fortunately there was an astute journalist who probed and discovered they hadn’t tested them – they had just examined them. Years later, in Penny Fisher’s journal articles, it talked about detecting brodifacoum in the penguins and them thinking the penguins may have died of starvation. They did later studies on anticoagulant rodenticides in penguins and found more than 50% of South Island test subjects had at least one anticoagulant in them.”
Image 1: Wake Island aerial view. Source: Pinterest
Image 2: Brodifacoum baits Source: Wellington Council
JACINDA’S MAGIC MONEY TREE – LIST OF 1080 OPERATIONS BELOW
By Carol Sawyer
Never have I seen so many winter aerial 1080 operations as now!
They barely gave themselves a breathing space.
The Dept of Conservation aerially 1080-poisoned 61,000 hectares of the Waitutu Forest and the Princess Mountains, Fiordland, March 11-12, 2020, two weeks before lockdown.
Then, as soon as we went into Level 2, they poisoned the Eglinton Valley, Fiordland. (Started on 19 May; completed on May 25, 2020).
1) Eglinton Valley, Fiordland, 7,842 hectares (last poisoned September, 2019; poisoned again May, 2020)
2) Waikaia Forest, Northern Southland, 7,000 hectares (fourth poisoning in 5.5 years, scheduled June, 2020)
4) Nelson Lakes National Park, Lake Rotoiti, Mt Robert and the headwaters of Lake Rotoroa, 34,000 hectares (notified by VCS Marlborough, July 1 to August 31, but not yet poisoned)
5) Mt Te Kinga forests, Lake Brunner, West Coast, 3,700 hectares, (notified, RNZ news item 29 May, but not yet poisoned)
6) Punakaiki, West Coast, 43,000 hectares (notified by VCS Greymouth, but not yet poisoned)
7) Buller South, West Coast ( Paparoa Range as well as foothills and Pakihi terraces between the Buller River and Four Mile Road south of Charleston), 18,500 hectares (notified, OSPRI, July 2020)
8) Radiant Range and Mokihinui, West Coast, 72,460 hectares ( notified, OSPRI, July 2020)
TOTAL HECTARES (including Waitutu) = 390,000 hectares and 780 tonnes of 1080 poison baits.
How could I have been so wrong?! I seriously thought a pandemic and its ensuing economic chaos would put an end to aerial 1080 poison. I thought the government might have a last blast but this is something else. Jacinda’s Labour Government has turned 1080 poisoning and trapping into a make-work scheme. The only income this scheme makes is from the TAXPAYER!!!
I think the only thing that will end aerial 1080 poison and this mad desire to kill everything introduced into our forests will be nuclear war.
Photo – Lake Brunner, West Coast, South Island from ‘100% Pure New Zealand’, 🤣,Tourism NZ
Did he see the writing on the wall? Below is a letter I wrote to him a month ago.
May 28, 2020 is the anniversary of the explosion in the Bromley, Christchurch, warehouse leased by PCR Ltd, where PCR Ltd/Kiwicare Corp Ltd was illegally making pure 1080… without a resource consent… inside a shipping container!! The building remains so contaminated that the Fire Service will not allow their officers to enter if there is a fire… yet there is no warning signage on this building in a VERY public place, surrounded by other businesses and next to a privately owned aquatic centre.
Work Safe NZ said it would take them a year to complete their investigations. We await their findings with bated breath. The West Coast Regional Council, (49% owner of the 1080 bait factory) has invested over $2 million of their ratepayers’ money in this factory. There are only 10,000 ratepayers. The building remains highly contaminated and dangerous. Even if the WCRC has public liability insurance, that will not protect them when criminal activities have taken place. I do hope that insurance company has woken up!
The whole story, for anyone who has not seen it, is in the links below. This has all been hidden behind a veil of silence… from FENZ, ESR, Work Safe NZ, Environment Canterbury, Christchurch City Council, West Coast regional Council, Dept of Conservation, and PCR Ltd itself. The media have not touched it.
Meanwhile, Michael Meehan is scampering off to another well-paid job … before the investigation results are announced.
I sent this letter below to him nearly a month ago. I copied in all West Coast Regional councillors. No-one responded or even acknowledged receipt, not even Michael Meehan who was the addressee, but I have since spoken to a councillor and so I know they all received it.
**************************************
“Apr 21, 2020, 8:11 PM
Dear Michael Meehan,
Below is a story that was posted on social media on 21 March, 2020. I would be interested to hear your comments please.
I understand from the real estate agent who arranged the lease on Unit 1, 56 Wickham St, Bromley that it is leased on a month by month basis and, as it would appear it has still not been decontaminated and still contains toxic chemicals, obviously it can not be used. I gather the lease is $21,995 per annum plus GST, which presumably means PCR Ltd has paid out over $22,000 in the past 11 months for an unused building.
What steps has Pest Control Research Ltd taken to start the decontamination process and why are there no hazardous chemical warning signs on the building?
It appears the other tenants have NOT been notified of this state of affairs. Unit 2 was leased out relatively recently to a painter (flammable materials next door, in other words) and I’m told he was not made aware of the situation with regard to Unit 1.
The owner of the joinery business, in Unit 3, was also unaware of the true situation.
I’m told Unit 4 is occupied by XXXXXXX, the son of the building’s owner. I do not know whether he knows the true situation or not.
Do you, in your role as CEO of the 49% shareholder, the West Coast Regional Council, and as a Director of Pest Control Research Ltd, feel you have a duty of care to these innocent people ?
I did a short followup story the other day, as I was sent photos of the Bromley warehouse taken on 17 April, 2020 which made it obvious that still nothing has been done about this building. Link here:
I wonder if all the Councillors are aware just how deadly this stuff is ?
Let’s just take the sodium monofluoroacetate (1080). This is the 100% pure form manufactured without resource consent at Bromley, (not the 0.15% contained in a 1080 bait):
Based on fatal or near-fatal cases of human poisonings, the dangerous dose (LD50) for humans is 0.5-2.0 mg per kg of bodyweight. (Negherbon 1959).
This means that just 35 mg can kill a 70 kg person. That means that ONE STANDARD (5 GM) TEASPOON OF PURE 1080 CAN KILL 70 x 70KG PEOPLE …..and make another 70 people very ill. (The LD50 is the dose required to kill 50% of people who ingest it. It doesn’t mean the other 50% get off scot free!)
Anyway, I would be grateful if you could answer the above two questions about decontamination and duty of care and I am interested in your comments on the Bromley situation. My interest in this is that I am appalled that such a dangerously contaminated building, one that even fire officers are forbidden to enter, has sat there for nearly a year without the neighbours (immediate and otherwise) being informed of the dangers, and with no warning signage on the building at all.
“For too long we have seen government, corporate and Big Pharma sponsorship of the very issues against human rights that we are fighting against. New Zealand is promoted as a clean green country, but we all know it is very far from that!”
22 Feb 2020
The Levelling the Playing Field NZ Activist of the Year Awards 2020 season today began with a presentation at Lake Taupo.
Prominent Environmental Lawyer and Co-Leader of the Outdoor Party, Sue Grey was the first recipient of the award for 2020.
Sue is currently touring the country raising awareness of the dangers of 5G technology with councils and has also worked to expose the dangers of 1080 poisoning of the environment by Department of Conservation.
Sue Grey receiving her award in Taupo from the organizer, Nigel Gray
The NZ Activist Awards began last year when Human Rights Activist Nigel Gray saw a need to, as he puts it “level the playing field”.
“For too long we have seen government, corporate and Big Pharma sponsorship of the very issues against human rights that we are fighting against. New Zealand is promoted as a clean green country, but we all know it is very far from that!” Nigel explained.
“This year we have expanded the award from just one presentation last year to twenty four separate presentations so this is just the beginning!” To qualify, Activists must keep within the law when they speak out, but this award applies to activism of all kinds whether environmental, human rights or against some of the more barbaric practices such as electro-convulsive shock or poisoning our forests. It is intended that these awards expand each year to where they will be the most prestigious awards in New Zealand to receive.
Very often Activists have been labelled and slandered however these are out-standing citizens who fight to maintain some level of morality, some decency and some hope for a brighter future for all of us. These are people we should all be proud of, and this award is a validation of their effort to make the country a better place.
The award presented the hardcover book “Freedom Fighter ARTICLES AND ESSAYS” from the L Ron Hubbard Series.
Nigel Gray gained some notoriety for his prediction of the Kaikoura earthquake in November 14th 2016, eight days before it happened.
Lake Taupo, Location of NZ Activist Awards 2020 Presentation
Dead rats found on beaches near the mouth of the Buller River near Westport were almost certainly 1080 killed rodents, despite Department of Conservation denials says a trout fishing advocacy the NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers (NZFFA)
NZFFA president Dr Peter Trolove, a retired veterinarian, said the rats most probably came from a 1080 drop in the Maruia valley, a tributary of the Buller. On November 2 and 3, 2019 the Department of Conservation aerially sowed approximately 140 tons of 1080 baits over nearly 70,000 ha of the upper Maruia and Grey catchments he said.
On 9 and10 November, after a heavy rainfall, over 700 dead rats, a weka, a goat, and a number of black petrels and bottom feeding marine fish washed up on a Westport beach 140 km from the start of the Maruia valley operation. Because of 1080’s secondary poisoning characteristic, every carcass may remain toxic, a danger to wildlife, people and their dogs.
“The operation covered the section of the Maruia River from the Lewis Pass to below the Maruia settlement. The Maruia River joins the Buller River below Murchison which in turn flows into the sea at Westport,’ said Dr Trolove.
Video from the GrafBoys YT channel. It questions the independence of the investigation following the poisoning of 8 cows during a 1080 drop in 2018. Intriguing information you likely weren’t aware of about the various players involved.
Greymouth Star, 12 November, 2019. By Laura MillsAn angling group today warned people not to eat any trout caught downstream of the Maruia 1080 poison drop, after 680 rat carcases were washed up on North Beach at Westport at the weekend. The Department of Conservation is currently awaiting the results of toxicology tests on the rats, and some birds and fish also found dead on the beach.
The rats are believed to have been swept down the Buller River after the aerial poison drop a week ago was followed by torrential rain in the headwaters.
Health authorities say that because the rivers are still in flood, no one will be catching sports fish. However, NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers president, veterinarian Dr Peter Trolove, said people should not eat trout downstream of Maruia for some time.
He called for more research on the effects of 1080 on fish. “Early studies were not conducted for long enough,” Dr Trolove said.
Trout could consume a reasonable dose and not show clinical signs of the toxin, he said.
“I would urge extreme caution,” he said to anglers.
Dr Trolove said the Government advice to wait a week after a 1080 drop was based on Cawthron Institute tests, which had fed the trout under half a pellet to replicate bykill.
However, he had seen trout taking full pellets. He personally had caught a trout in South Westland more than three months after a winter 1080 drop, and the fish was “blue in its gut” from the poison.
West Coast medical officer of health Dr Cheryl Brunton, who signs off on all 1080 operations, said today the rivers were in flood and no one would be catching fish anyway.
She noted it was not yet known what had killed the rats. “It will be interesting to see what the results are.”
DOC South Island operations director Mark Davies said trout were known to eat mice, but not rats, which were typically much bigger than mice.
If people had concerns, they should follow Ministry for Primary Industries advice to anglers to avoid eating trout from water ways in a 1080 operation area for seven days after the operation. The aerial poison operation in the Maruia valley was completed on November 3. “People need to take a precautionary approach with dogs, which are susceptible to poisoning from 1080. With their propensity to scavenge, people do need to be careful and keep their dogs super vised on leads or keep dogs away from affected beaches until the results of the toxicology tests come back,” Mr Davies said. People should also be cautious when handling dead rats. “If they do contain toxin, naturally occurring bacteria will break this down over time as the carcases disintegrate — there is no threat to human health.” In 2014, DOC issued warnings after the independent Cawthron research found the food safety risk from fish was higher than expected. Two years later, MPI advised a seven-day stand-down. Alan Simmons from the NZ Outdoors Party said today thousands of “poison laden time bombs” had been swept 140km downstream in Buller. “There are likely to be rotting and poisoned animal bodies all the way down the Buller River, ready to kill family pets, moreporks, trout, seagulls and any other creature that eats the carcases,” Mr Simmons said. In 2017 deer carcases were found on a beach in Southland, poisoned possums washed up on Dunedin beaches, and warning signs were recently put on Taranaki beaches after poisoned carcases were found scattered along the coastline, he said.
The West Coast of the South Island is generally thought of as being the most heavily 1080-poisoned area of New Zealand. However some of us have been thinking about that lately and have realized that, in fact, Wanaka and the Upper Clutha probably take that title, sadly.
You see, we have an extra problem animal (for farmers) in the Wanaka area, and that is rabbits, so farms and stations all round the Upper Clutha get aerially bombed with 1080 for rabbits. This is in addition to the onslaught from DoC and OSPRI for possums, rats and stoats on our farmland and in our mountain valleys.
We DID fight them off in 2015. It can be done! OSPRI had advertised plans to aerially 1080 poison DoC-managed land on Mt Roy and they were sent away with their tail between their legs and never came back.
Luggate was a two year battle, 2017 to 2019, It went ahead despite best efforts to stop it, but on a greatly reduced scale.
DoC stuffed up the aerial 1080 drop at Makarora in 2015, but unfortunately they came back in 2017 and did manage to dump poison on 38,000 ha – the Wilkin, Young, Makarora, and Blue River Valleys.
If you stand on top of Mt Iron in Wanaka and turn 360 degrees you will be looking at these aerially 1080-poisoned valleys – Matukituki, Makarora, Mt Gold, Timaru Creek (Lake Hawea), Luggate, Cardrona. Add to this most of the stations, many of the farms (deer, cattle, sheep ) and even some of the vineyards, and this is one poisoned place ! Aerial Pindone, and 1080 and Pindone thrown off quad bikes, in our public spaces, like Mt Iron itself just recently, can be added to the mix.
From the top of Mt Iron, Wanaka – Photos Carol Sawyer
STOP THE DROP by Brown Towns of Te Kuiti , Brother T, Brother A , Brother TK 1080 Awareness Demonstration Te Kuiti
NOTE: if any photo, video or other material is yours & I haven’t credited you please let me know. Likewise if you want it taken down. I figure by now though, most folk are eager to help in the spread of info on 1080 and don’t mind the re use of their images. Thanks.
This is the stuff of the third world right? Here in ‘yeah right’ clean green NZ (next to one of the worst polluted/trashed lakes in NZ) … a NZ land owner, mana whenua I believe, is denied access to the town supply water. The council simply turned it off. The lake by the way, trashed by the local council since practically forever. See the other articles here on how the council historically has treated Mr Taueki. Shame. You could be forgiven for thinking the authorities were trying to run him off his own land.
For more info on HDC’s history on pollution see our Local Govt Watch pages … hear from whistle blowers and read Dr Russell Norman’s comment that … “HDC had a history of resource consent breaches”.
The following video was posted at FB this week by Horowhenua’s Mayor who needless to say is not in agreement with the shutting off of this man’s water supply:
“SHARE … I totally oppose any system that allows council to disconnect anyone’s water supply to their residence. It is a breach of human rights at the very least. Try going without running water for 640 days and you cannot bathe in the Lake either. I trust the powers that be get onto this asap in the appropriate manner. Regards” [Mayor Feyen]
This whole raruraru (trouble) in Whitianga and beyond, demonstrates that the Department of Conservation is dysfunctional, and treats local residents and local government alike with arrogance.
The public experiences the Department of Conservation as a law unto itself. It does not inform local authorities, it does not follow its own consultation guidelines, and it breaches statutes.
For example, the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act under which DoC receives consents for aerial poisoning requires :
caution where there is scientific or technical uncertainty ( Section 7);
WHY DID THE AUTHORITIES NOT CONTACT THE PIG HUNTER WHO SOLD THE POISONED FAMILY THE WILD PIG ?!
This comment is from Lloyd Hanson a NZ hunter of 53 yrs experience. He raises some important questions that reflect more inconsistencies in the case of the poisoned Waikato family:
There is a lot of misinformation coming from mainly the pro poison side so here is a small attempt to rectify this :
Here is my opinion, based on over 30 years studying 1080, hunting and observing 1080 aerial drops on the ground. Also as an ex possum hunter I know the bush well.
LD50 rates/pig/human are irrelevant as this is the amount it is meant to take to KILL the animal/human concerned, not to cause ILLNESS, and in the human case has never been studied extensively so the rate is……..?????
Clyde Graf, Steve Graf and I observed a margin 1080 aerial drop in the Teme Valley, Marlborough a few years back, and after 12 hours we discovered 7 dead red deer hinds and a 50kg pig dead in the river.
We found the deer that we believe the pig had fed on, and it had eaten out the paunch (gut) area which resulted in it’s death a few hours later !
The deer of course had taken a lot more pellets than was necessary to reach its LD50 rate as one could stand in one place under the helicopter’s course and observe several pellets, making it easy for the hind to smell and pick up the scented cereal based baits in a short time period.
Now in the case of the poisoned wild pork consumed by the Indian people who were admitted to hospital in a critical condition :
The hunter who caught the pig was hunting in an aerial 1080’d block! He may have been unaware, as some hunters have access through the back of farms or through isolated, unsigned areas.
He may have been using holding dogs which latch onto the head or ear area if possible, and will bite somewhere to get a grip, resulting in ingestion of blood or saliva from the pig. It depends on how long it takes the hunter to get to the pig how much blood can be ingested ! Also some hunters feed offal to their dogs to reward them for their effort at the time of capture.
The word on the street is that this pig hunter’s dog was fed the heart of the pig.
It is unknown how deadly this poison is to humans. It may well be as toxic to humans as it is to dogs. No testing is done on humans and the research used to defend the poison is mostly anecdotal from years ago.
I will only cover this aspect of the whole sorry affair but will leave you with this thought:
How come Ministry of Primary Industries, or Waikato District Health Board, or NZ Police didn’t contact the hunter concerned, because if these people had died it could have been a manslaughter case, could it not? The poisoned family’s lawyer managed to contact him without a bother !
Lloyd Hanson
Hunter for 53 years.”
Postscript : The dog died, presumed to be of poison. See this film “DHB coverup” for the whole story :
and see this older article ( 10 December, 2017 ) by a neuroscientist, on the same topic of the poisoned Waikato family, which has some interesting info on 1080 in pigs :
Does anyone out there know a forensic pathologist – a medical expert – who can make a determination on what poison is likely to have caused the following effects-symptoms in the poisoned family from Putaruru? The family that the Waikato DHB said was suffering from botulism? (If so, please email tvwild@xtra.co.nz – in confidence, or contact through messenger on FB).
Points to note
Shibu, one of the victims, stated he believed the poisoning was caused by 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) based on what he recalled the pig hunter had told him when receiving the pig, and upon gaining consciousness after 3 weeks in a coma. The pig hunter also reportedly told Shibu that the pig was fine to feed to his family (as is also stated by DoC, TBFree and regional councils – you’d need to consume a huge amount of poisoned flesh to get a dose that would harm you).
The New Zealand Government-owned factory that imports and manufacturers the baits currently says it’s mix is 0.15% pure 1080 in bait. And that just 30 grams of bait, or 2 and a half standard sized 12 gram baits, may kill an adult human. 166 of these twelve gram baits are currently spread (@ 2kg bait/Ha) across every hectare of land and water in New Zealand aerial operations. Enough bait to kill over 60 million people every year… https://www.pestoff.co.nz/assets/sds1080pellets.pdf
Also note – Shibu stated that the pig hunter told him that his dog had died on the same day, assumed to be from 1080 poison.Also note – over 70% of New Zealand’s forests are aerially spread with 1080 poison every 2 – 3 years … the poison is spread across forests, and also across all waterways within those forests, in most aerial operations around New Zealand. (See www.tvwild.co.nz for information about aerial operations across New Zealand)
Here are the symptoms to consider …
Symptoms mentioned in medical notes:
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Agitated
Confused
Groaning
Reduced verbal response
Vocal paralysis
Muscle weakness
Opthalmoplegia (paralysis of muscles within or surrounding the eyes)
Pupils sluggish
Eyes rolling back in head
Reduced GCS (eye, verbal and motor response)
Tachycardia
Spontaneous jerky movements
Hypotonia
Biting
Personality change
Aggression
Sweaty
Fever
Delirium
Tremors
Repetitive muscle twitching and eye flickering
Dystonic posturing of legs
Spasmodic rigid movements
Legs flipping backwards 180 degrees
Legs in frog position
Flailing arms and legs that need to be restrained to avoid injury
Arms out to side or above head
Convulsions that required six staff members to hold the patient down
Tonic clonic seizures
Difficulty swallowing
Fatigue
Autonomic dysfunction
Afebrile
Muscle pain
Rising inflammatory markers
Elevated levels of CK (highest about 5000)
Facial grimacing
Unresponsive to pain
Tongue protrusion at times
Cough
Arching and flinging head, arms and legs against side rails
Incoherent
Unconscious
Pachymeningeal thickening
Inability to think clearly
Crying
Wailing
See our recent related post on the selection of NZ and Australia for trialing GM insects, all part of the NZ Gov’s pest eradication program called Predator Free 2050.
There are good reasons to be skeptical about the hype behind the GBiRd project, the programme coordinated by Landcare research in collaboration with overseas partner the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) with funding from the Gates Foundation. [1] – GE Free NZ
18/12/2017
Warning Against Gene-Drive Hype Provided by AgResearch Gene Experiment
There are good reasons to be skeptical about the hype behind the GBiRd project, the programme coordinated by Landcare research in collaboration with overseas partner the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) with funding from the Gates Foundation. [1]
Research has found that gene drive technology has many problems; immune systems in wild populations could override the sterility gene after a few generations. With no control over the ability of the genetic technology to be contained there are risks that sterility could spread to other countries. There is the potential that, as TB spreads, so could the sterility technology, which could severely affect farmers who have livestock. The only gene drive technology that has been developed is in mosquitoes. Promoters nevertheless continue to hype unrealistic promises about gene drive applications to the public.
The New Zealand Herald reported that Minister Sage “elbowed out” the gene drive project. [2] That project was looking at New Zealand islands to introduce sterile genetically modified small mammals like mice and rats to see if they were able to breed.
GE animal experiments at AgResearch refute promises of animal genetic engineering that have produced disasters for animal welfare. These experiments show the need for much more caution before allowing genetically engineered organisms outside containment.
“New Zealanders were softened up by promises of medical benefits. GE animals were funded instead of a focus on research funding for issues that farmers are desperate to address. AgResearch annual reports reveal data on animal euthanasia and deformity,” said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ.
‘Daisy’, the calf that made headlines because she carried a gene that knocked out an allergy protein in milk called beta-lacto globulin, had to be euthanised after living only three years. She was born without a tail and suffered from skeletal deformities that eventually forced her to be killed on humanitarian grounds. [3]
The original experiment on transgenic cows that expressed the human gene Myelin Basic Protein for Multiple Sclerosis has ended with the last cow being euthanised due to chronic lameness from hip problems that did not respond to treatment.
There are also transgenic goats being bred at the Ruakura site. The goat experiments started in 2010, since then many hundreds of embryos have been created, carrying GE genes for synthetic pharmaceutical drugs already readily available on the market. Only 46 goats survive. This year, seventy-nine goats of varying ages were euthanised due to being surplus or killed following veterinary advice, and 9 goats were found dead in the paddock. [4]
“This disastrous experiment in genetic engineering of animals must be a warning against ignoring and underplaying the risks when gene drive experiments are being discussed,” said Claire Bleakley.
“… the rise of the predator-free movement has intersected neatly with the bold new frontier of gene drive technology.” NZ Herald
This NZ Herald article, as is common with mainstream media material, likely flew under the radar on 4th December. Judging by the disbelief from the public at our recent posts on this topic, it clearly didn’t get noticed. The article is basically an expanded version of the last one on topic here, and straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak. It is coaxing you into the up sides of GE. GE Free NZ however has now issued a warning about gene drive tech, that post is coming tomorrow. Read our previous posts on topic over the past week (in archives for December 2017, left column of News page, or search GMO in categories also to the left). Particularly also, search the GE Free NZ site for further info on the GE topic. GE is being sold to the NZ public as good for our health and environment among other things while the down sides are quickly dismissed, swept under the carpet or downplayed by media. As GE Free NZ points out, these GM animals end up euthanised with all kinds of health problems. We need to proceed (if at all) with extreme caution. Why ever does man think he can improve on nature? EnvirowatchRangitikei
“Overseas researchers interested in pest control or eradication are all looking at New Zealand,” says Forest & Bird chief executive Kevin Hague.
‘When Kiwi rat killing expert Doctor James Russell was told his research was being sized up for United States military funding, he wasn’t surprised.
“The US military – they have very long fingers. Even through the universities in New Zealand, they have a representative that comes around and just asks, ‘hey, what are you guys up to’.
“And obviously we’re in the business of eradicating entire populations of animals from an island and so they have cocked their ear towards me once or twice.
“You don’t have to be a genius to see that there’s potential military application in that.”
In this instance, Russell’s work was being measured for suitability against a US$100 million research pot made available by the United States’ Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa)
Also being evaluated were remote islands around New Zealand, sized up for live trials of genetically modified rodents.
The interest in Russell and New Zealand emerged during an investigation into the activities of a multi-national science advocacy and gene drive research body called Gbird.
It has a US$6.5m slice of that Darpa money and has been considering how to spend that in New Zealand.
The detail was revealed in a database of emails and documents charting Gbird’s growing focus on New Zealand – and the involvement of a taxpayer-owned Crown Research Institute which told the consortium it would make gene drive research a focus of “NZ Inc”.
It shows how the rise of the predator-free movement has intersected neatly with the bold new frontier of gene drive technology.
Gene drive research is the latest, greatest frontier in science as scientists grapple with the implications of genetic manipulation to remove inherited characteristics from subsequent generations. For example, wiping out one gender from a population of rats means no more rats.’
The database of more than 2000 documents released by North Carolina State University (NCSU) reveal Gbird’s interest in New Zealand as a possible test site and its efforts to get alongside those leading our fight against predators.
The documents show careful efforts by Gbird – Genetic Biocontrol of Invasive Rodents – to shape its image and manage possible fallout associated with the US$6.5m pool of Darpa cash.
Among the documents is the report of the meeting with Russell’s meeting in mid-2017 with Gbird’s co-ordinator Royden Saah.
After the meeting, Saah reported to Gbird members: “Co-ordinating with James Russell. Appears no NZ islands meet the strict criteria used within Darpa grant.
“We are now considering small NZ islands that don’t have rodents present that could be used as trial sites, with mice sourced from remote NZ islands larger than our 300ha cut-off that may be future targets themselves.”
First it’s important to understand where New Zealand sits in the world of pest eradication.
Our national goal of wiping out possums, rats and stoats roughly sits with the research focus of leading thinkers on gene drive technology.
That’s because it’s not just about being able to create new technology but what you do with it. And in a world of potential – agricultural or medical benefits – conservation has become a core area of interest to gene drive researchers.
Gene drive technology appeared to offer definite answers to those seeking to eradicate predators. It also offered a permissive, public-friendly area in which to explore new technology.
A critical aspect of new technology is the willingness of society to allow new frontiers to be explored.
Another reminder from the GrafBoys regarding the dropping of 1080 into our waterways. A clip from the recent election campaign for Ban 1080 party. See links to their site & channel on our 1080 pages. All other links and resources can be found here. EnvirowatchRangitikei
This is becoming a regular occurrence going by similar other reports & posts we’ve featured here. Poisoning Paradise would be correct (see Graf Boys’ video of that name). Still our deluded leaders continue to promote us as clean and green. LGNZ is currently advertising a handy app to make it easy for you to see which of the 40% that’s left of swimmable rivers is ok for you to take a dip in. Whatever way you look at it somebody manages to make a dollar or two out of the whole farcical debacle. This product (1080) is a deadly poison! All I can conclude here is take care folks if you plan tramping in the bush this holiday. Watch also what you catch and eat. Check out our 1080 page for links to further info. EnvirowatchRangitikei
“It was like big hail drops hitting the water around us,” said New Zealand trout fishing guide Scott Murray who is a co-owner of River Haven Lodge near Murchison.
It was no ordinary hail storm. The ‘big hail drops’ were toxic 1080 pellets.
The 1080 drop was a joint effort by Ospri for possum “control” and the Department of Conservation’s “Battle for Our Birds” predator control programme. It was December 2, 2016 when Scott and his two guests helicoptered into the Mokihinui River that enters the Tasman Sea north of Westport on the west coast of NZ’s South Island. The upper reaches in the river’s north and south branches are of wilderness character. Also in the area the same day was Zane Mirfin a Nelson guide and two guests. Zane Mirfin’s Californian client was incredulous when Zane explained what the aerial bombardment with 1080 pellets was about.
It just gets sillier doesn’t it? Reminds me of the pregnant woman recently who declined the TDAP vaccination … whose Doctor had never read the insert saying it had neither been tested for the unborn nor proven safe for under 10 year olds ! The astute young mother demanded to see the insert then read it out slowly to her Doc and his nursing staff. The Doc was very shocked as indeed he should be with the fees he charges and the lives he’s trusted with protecting.
DOC warns 1080 is DEADLY to dogs
Similar scenario here. They’re recommending you can eat 1080 while the manufacturer warns quite clearly to wear goggles and a mask while handling it … ‘may cause reproductive or developmental damage’. They don’t always though (wear protective apparatus). See the workers in the video further down. And DOC (those people entrusted with protecting our wildlife among other things) write on their signs, ‘deadly to dogs’.
Monsanto Herbicide sprayed on food crops [Photo from USDA via Wikimedia Commons via Mintpressnews]Hmmm. Same again as the glyphosate debacle, the product that we’re told is drinkable. Harmless as dishwash liquid farmers were told back in the 1970s when they first sold it to them. (Same people who made DDT and Agent Orange and told us it was safe). And have you seen the employees handling the product? Full overalls, gloves and masks (at least if you’re not in a Third World country … they’re poisoned there … by Western corporations, with impunity). If you doubt this read ‘The Corporate Crime of the Century’.
They spray it on your food. You know, the GE variety that’s so safe there’s no need to label it? Just how gullible can people be? The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies 1080 as ‘Extremely Hazardous’, most countries ban it outright. DOC’s signs certainly don’t indicate it’s safe as crisps. ‘Do not touch’ let alone eat. WHO also labeled glyphosate as being a probable carcinogen … for a while at least … until corporate persuasion convinced them Prof Séralani’s rats would’ve probably got cancerous tumours anyway.
Toxic Roundup (containing glyphosate) is sprayed on GE crops [Photo credit: Wikimedia]What else would you expect? This from the same scientific/corporate club that told us smoking was good for us! Good for corporate pockets would be more to the point. If it weren’t so serious it would be laughable. Crisps with your ciggies anybody? (Do watch the video & research 1080 for yourself … check out our 1080 pages for links to what mainstream media isn’t telling you … under ‘Chemicals’ on the menu). EnvirowatchRangitikei
Today NZ wide Kiwis who are concerned about this toxic poisoning of our once clean green paradise, are protesting (peacefully) to draw attention to this vital issue! See the fresh water crays pulling those pellets away to eat? They are now inedible but who would know? Educate yourself on 1080 it is not what we are led to believe. EnvirowatchRangitikei
On the 22nd of August, 2014, 32,000 kilos of 1080 poison bait was cast across Mt Pirongia, near Hamilton. It was enough poison to kill 240,000 people, almost twice the population of Hamilton…
A previous 2007 drop across the mountain was “hailed a success” by Waikato Regional Council, despite farmers raising concern about contamination, including to drinking water.
The New Zealand manufacturer’s (owned by NZ Govt) 1080 poison label includes the following warnings –
“Ecotoxic”,
“Toxic to terrestrial vertebrates.”
“Take measures to reduce of non-target animals being exposed to the toxin either through eating the baits or by scavenging the carcasses of poisoned animals.”
“Harmful to aquatic organisms.”
“Take all practicable steps to manage any harmful effects of a spillage including preventing baits from accidentally entering streams or waterways.”
“This product is toxic to wildlife. Birds and mammals feeding on carcasses of contaminated animals may be fatally poisoned.”
“Where practicable, the exposed bodies of all poisoned animals should be collected and destroyed by complete burning or deep burial in a landfill approved for hazardous substances. Dehydrated carcasses may remain dangerous to dogs or cats for an indefinite period. A single mouse poisoned by 1080 may contain enough poison to kill an adult dog.”
“Take measures to minimise the chance of baits accidentally entering any body of water.”
And … “Apply the product only as specified by label directions.” …
Flight charts released by the Department of Conservation reveal that 1080 poison was dropped directly into most streams and catchments, including to eight of the nine known water abstraction points. Poisoned carcasses have been left to rot in the streams, and animal welfare concerns have been raised. The Department of Conservation Mt Pirongia aerial drop, breached or ignored all of these warnings …
See also our 1080 pagesfor info & links, &/or search ‘categories’ drop down box for further related articles (at left of any page).
Follow our blog or like our FB page to help spread the word on all the untruths we have been told – we are about exposing corruption and lies! Use the share buttons!
Hear the proof for yourself what has happened with the ongoing poisoning of our forests. They are supposed to be protecting our bird life are they not? Perhaps our esteemed experts have created a new breed of bird that doesn’t sing? … check out our page called ‘NZ’s Silent Forests – Where have the birds gone? EnvirowatchRangitikei
See also our 1080 pagesfor info & links, &/or search ‘categories’ drop down box for further related articles (at left of any page).
Like our FB page &/or follow our blog (right of any page) to help spread the word on all the untruths we have been told – we are about exposing corruption and lies! Use the share buttons!
NZ on its own uses 80%+ of the world’s supply of 1080
A note from admin about commenting
This site/blog is a truth site. Our purpose is to dig below the surface stories and where present, to expose lies and corruption. We do this also by citing independent research from professional people. This is what mainstream media should be doing however media is also corporately controlled now and as we know corporations are for profits not people or environments. For that reason I reserve this venue for commenting that seeks truth also. If you are strongly pro poison, chemicals, damage to environment, damage to health etc etc your views would be best stated in mainstream media where the status quo is already firmly entrenched. Some of the people of the latter persuasion are in fact paid trolls; so desperate are the powers that be to maintain their control of opinion, they pay people to debunk truth.
So, that established, please feel free to comment without advocating any kind of violence or hatred. We are for truth and peace here.
A small reality check here: our waters in NZ are no longer pristine … in fact only 40% of them are safe enough to swim in. Our PTB have settled for ‘Ok to wade in’. This warning by DOC was later retracted (see end of article) however in my opinion, from reading the info, the evidence for its safety doesn’t stack up. Do research it for yourself…. EnvirowatchRangitikei
New Zealand has some of the best trout fishing in the world!
Every year, thousands of international visitors wade pristine rivers in search of the freshwater game fish.
Large brown trout abound some back-country streams, and feisty rainbows reach weights of double figures in many regions. But there’s a problem facing New Zealand fishing, and it’s toxic, very toxic.
The Department of Conservation is using helicopters to aerially spread the deadly pesticide 1080 poison across New Zealand’s forests and streams. The poison is targeted at introduced possums and bush rats, but many other animals, birds and insects are killed, including deer.
The poison contaminates the food chain, and in a rare admission, the Department of Conservation is warning fishermen to avoid eating their catch, despite paying for the privilege …
This video clip shows that the poisoning of New Zealand’s trout goes much further than a few pesky mice…
Here is a media alert at the time from stuff.co.nz:
“Anglers are being warned to avoid eating fish caught in back country waters as they could be tainted by 1080 poison.
The Department of Conservation plans to aerially drop 1080 poison across 700,000 hectares of conservation land, mostly in the South Island, to reduce rodent numbers.
Fishing groups expressed concerns that mice – which were often eaten by trout – could carry sub-lethal amounts of 1080, posing a food safety risk for humans.
DOC commissioned independent research into the risk, finding 1080 levels in trout flesh were significantly higher than recognised food safety guidelines…..
DOC predictably scaled back their warning further down the track, however NZ Fish & Game advised erring on the side of caution … “Fish & Game advises that if you have concerns, you should not to eat trout flesh from trout caught in 1080-poisoned catchments, until advised otherwise.” The following video by the Graf Boys takes a closer look at the research cited which ‘officially’ deems the risk from 1080 to aquatic life ‘low’. There are holes in it.
I personally consider it essential for you to research 1080 for yourself. There is much spin about many products from corporations whose bottom line is profit. You need to keep an open mind and read the independent research as well. Long gone is the day we can simply trust what a corporation says. Their legal obligation is to their shareholders, not you. Don’t believe me? Watch The Corporation documentary. And eat any wildlife from poisoned areas at your own risk.
Published on Jan 3, 2015
In a letter to the CE of Waikato Regional Council, the CE of the Environmental Protection Authority suggests that 1080 poison does not harm aquatic life, and breaks down into harmless bi-products in water.
However, some of the research referenced – Niwa freshwater ecologist Dr Alistair Suren’s work – highlights a common trend in the poison industry, with regard to the misrepresentation of 1080-poison science by New Zealand authorities, and those that use the poison …
See also our 1080 pagesfor info & links, &/or search categories for further related articles (at left of any page).
Consider liking our FB page &/or following our blog (right of any page) to help spread the word on all the untruths we have been told – we are about exposing corruption and lies! Use the share buttons!
Following the recent shocking news about 1080 drops into the streams that flow into Lake Taupo, this info from an OIA request is very interesting. Now would you not, with that many precious and rare native birds, be testing as to HOW they died? You surely would not just presume, pests? And would you not actually TEST for poison, any poison?
Not long ago we posted an article on DOC’s failure to show one endangered species in recovery, in spite of $3.5 BILLION being spent! That’s a large sum of money to just shrug your shoulders at. There needs to be some accountability. People are asking questions and rightly so.
These Kiwis were only the tagged ones too, so the numbers may well be just the tip of the iceberg!
An important note to the few who think this article is emotive and inflammatory … PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT THE LINK PROVIDED at the end. There are further details about the OIA request, analyses of the results and responses by DOC.
Clearly folk have not read it in its entirety. And the point of my introductory remarks is that the dead birds were not tested by DOC for cause of death. Surely a logical thing to do, not just expect the public to assume/believe it wasn’t 1080?
EWR
“Surprisingly, given so much poison has been dropped across the forest, not a single kiwi from the 89 deaths has been tested for 1080 poison residues.”
This is an offical press release from the Graf Bothers
“It has been revealed through an OIA request that tagged kiwi have been dying in large numbers in one of our most heavily 1080 treated forests.
Aerial 1080 drops first began in the Tongariro Forest in 1976 and have been followed with subsequent drops in parts of the forest in 1988, 1989, 1991, and over much of the forest in 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2006. Another drop was carried out last week covering around 15,000 hectares.
It would be reasonable to assume, after so much 1080 poison has been spread across the forest, there could be no sign of a ferret or stoat for miles – surely?
Not so. In the last 5 years, revealed through the DoC OIA request, 89 tagged kiwi, of all ages, have died in the Tongariro forest. Keeping in mind that the tagged kiwi only represent a fraction of the wild population, the actual numbers, from a population perspective, may be enormous.
More concerning is what’s killing the birds. The assumed cause of death, in most cases … is predation by ferret. We are told by DoC kiwi can defend themselves from mustelid attacks, once they reach 1.5kg in weight. Yet, many of these birds are adults.
When discussing the use of 1080, the DoC use sentences like “overwhelmingly successful”, “very effective”, “rapid knockdown” to justify their poisoning campaigns.
“It’s the best tool we have for managing pests, and keeping predators at bay.” At least that’s what we’re lead to believe by The Department of Conservation, the PCE, and Forest and Bird.
But what’s really killing the birds? Surely not predators, going by what we’re told about the effectiveness of 1080 at eliminating them. If it is predators, it would also be reasonable to say that the use of 1080 poison clearly isn’t working. Surprisingly, given so much poison has been dropped across the forest, not a single kiwi from the 89 deaths has been tested for 1080 poison residues.
DoC say that the time-frames for the poison drops don’t line up with the likelihood that 1080 could be a cause of death. Given the amount of poison dropped in the forest over the last 35 years, all endemic species found dead within the poisoned boundaries should be tested for poison residues, simply to eliminate toxins as a cause of death. Surely?
More concerning is the fact that in the last 15 years, with tens of millions of hectares of habitat being poisoned, only 5 kiwi across all of New Zealand have been tested for 1080 poison residues. It should be noted that kiwi are known to eat 1080 cereal bait, and 1080 residues have been detected in kiwi droppings.
On top of the 7 poisoned kea three weeks ago, the 3 poisoned kaka earlier in the year, the loss of 11 kiwi at Mt Bruce, 21 ruru in the Waitutu, the poisoned fernbirds, robins, tomtits and others, it is becoming more clear that the experiments with 1080 poison across our forests, aren’t working.
After 35 years of poisoning campaigns, and desperately trying, there still isn’t a single, credible scientific research paper that demonstrates a net population benefit to any native species through the use of aerially applied 1080 poison. Not one! And yet the drops continue.
Responsible, ground control methods do work. 50,000 hectares of the northern Te Urewera National Park is managed by DoC, trappers and volunteers. No aerial 1080 poison is used. We need to encourage, and replicate these methods, and eliminate the future use of aerially applied poisons.
The Election is less than two months away. If you’d like to see an end to 1080 poison, and more responsible, sensible methods of pest control implemented, please consider giving your party vote to UnitedFuture – the only party in government to make the banning of 1080, policy.
on the 5th October DoC replied with a rebuttal to the claims of clyde graf
1080 kiwi claims extremely misleading
Wednesday, 5 October 2011, 12:46 pm
Press Release: Department of Conservation
1080 kiwi claims extremely misleading
The Department of Conservation is concerned factual information about kiwi deaths in the Tongariro Forest has been inaccurately portrayed by anti-1080 campaigners.
A media statement released yesterday by anti-1080 campaigner Clyde Graf linked biodegradable 1080 with the death of 89 kiwi in the Tongariro Forest Kiwi Sanctuary over the past five years.
The release, titled “89 Dead Kiwi – 1080 clearly not working” selectively quoted information provided by DOC and claimed that 1080 drops in the forest had failed to protect kiwi.
It also suggested the biodegradable toxin itself could be responsible for the kiwi deaths.
However DOC says the release fails to point out that 1080 – which breaks down naturally in soil within weeks – was last used in the forest sanctuary almost four months before the first recorded kiwi death.
“We know that kiwi are at very low risk from 1080. DOC has monitored more than 280 kiwi both through and after aerial 1080 operations – some for well over a year – and we have never lost a single bird to 1080.” said Dr. Avi Holzapfel, DOC’s Kiwi Recovery Group leader.
“Claiming that the data shows that 1080 does not control predators is equally misleading. Only about half the deaths could be linked to predation, and the majority of these were chicks killed by stoats in years when 1080 was not used”
“Mr Graf fails to point out that chick survival in this forest more than doubled in each of the two years after the last 1080 operation in 2006 when stoat numbers were very low, compared to years without 1080.”
“Rather than claiming that ongoing predation shows that our pest control is not working, Mr Graf should have put more focus on the fact that predator control at Tongariro has resulted in many more kiwi surviving than would have otherwise. Claiming that 1080 has failed because some kiwi are still being killed by predators is like saying that an emergency department in a hospital is failing because it can not save everyone.
Dr. Holzapfel acknowledges the impact ferrets have on adult birds, with more than 10 adult kiwi having been killed by these predators. “We are learning that ferrets in particular are a significant threat to adult kiwi, and we are adjusting our management to protect birds against this emerging threat. It demonstrates the many pressures kiwi are facing in the wild. But it is extremely misleading to suggest 1080 has somehow played a role in these deaths, ”
Mr Holzapfel said full details of all the information provided to Mr Graf on deaths in the kiwi sanctuary is available on DOC’s website: http://www.doc.govt.nz/1080kiwi
Further information about biodegradable 1080 and its use can also be found on DOC’s website or by visiting www.1080thefacts.co.nz
followed by more facts ……that show DoC really dont know and are misleading the public by continuing the she’ll be right approach
DoC 1080 Kiwi Analysis Misleading
Thursday, 6 October 2011, 2:01 pm
Press Release: The Graf Boys
Clyde Graf – The Graf Boys
Candidate for Coromandel – for UnitedFuture
DoC 1080 Kiwi Analysis Misleading
RE – In response to DoC’s “1080 kiwi claims extremely misleading”.
Firstly, I’d like to thank The Department of Conservation for the opportunity to raise further issues relating to the poor life expectancy for kiwi in the heavily 1080 poisoned Tongariro Forest.
DoC claim in their response…”we have never lost a single bird (kiwi) to 1080″. That’s an astounding statement! If DoC had have tested every kiwi that died within the poisoned area, they could make that claim. The fact is, from the information supplied, they haven’t tested a single bird for 1080 poison residues from within the Tongariro Forest. Therefore, the claim is redundant.
Given the absence of randomisation, replication, and controls in much of DoC research, it is difficult to come to any sound conclusion when referring to what the likely outcome would be if 1080 were not used. But taking into account the persistence of the department in defending it’s use of 1080, the data would likely be biased – hence the need for blinding.
In their response, DoC also claim … “Mr Graf fails to point out that chick survival in this forest more than doubled in each of the two years after the last 1080 operation in 2006 when stoat numbers were very low, compared with years without 1080”.
Once again, an astounding statement. Chick survival in the Tongariro Forest doesn’t look good, going by the information supplied by the DoC.
The following Information is contained in the DoC OIA …
Between September 2007 and March 2011 (about 4.5 years) 88 kiwi chicks were fitted with radio transmitters. Of these, only 5 are known to be alive – and of these, 3 were tagged within the last year.
So, only 2 kiwi chicks, from 85 (88, less the 3 fitted in the last 11 months) fitted with radio tags for a period of between 1 year and 4.5 years, are known to be still alive. That’s just over 2%.
If the 3 chicks that have been fitted in the last year are included, the percentage of known survivors from the original 88 is just over 5%. But this doesn’t mean these 5 birds are going to make it to adulthood. Chances are, they won’t.
Many birds are killed in the sub-adult age group. Of the 38 birds tagged between April 2006 and May 2010, 8 are known to be alive.
From July 2010, to July 2011, 25 sub-adult birds have been tagged. There has been a 1080 free period in the forest, since 2006 (up until a couple of weeks ago). Of these more recent 25 tagged birds, 22 were still alive as of the 31st of July 2011.
Of the 67 adult birds radio tagged, 24 are stated as being alive, as of July 2011.
19 are assumed to have been predated on, and 7 classed as “unknown” and “misadventure”. (Why were these birds not tested, to eliminate poison as a cause of death?). The remainder dropped their tracking equipment.
Kiwi can live for over 60 years. If so few kiwi chicks make it to adulthood in the Tongariro, and the tiny percentage that do are likely to be predated on, kiwi look like being extinct in the Tongariro forest within a generation.
It would seem the data is being selectively analysed by the DoC, and the public are being mis-informed. DoC are focusing on claiming they get a certain percentage of fledgling survival from many species of native birds, including kiwi. Fledgling success has nothing to do with population success. What good is it if a chick lives for a few months and dies, or is killed before reproducing?
If the data was analysed correctly, and looked at life-span, and not “fledgling success”, it would be determined that the use of 1080 for pest control, isn’t working. Not only is 1080 poisoning the entire ecosystem, it’s endangering the welfare of our native wildlife.
The information being fed to the public is that 1080 is helping kiwi survive, when in fact, there’s absolutely no evidence of that. New methodology is needed urgently – not more poison.
Conversely, we are informed that 5% of kiwi in untreated areas make it to adulthood. With targeted pest control, using trapping and non-persistent poisons, (not 1080) that figure could be raised substantially – if the use of 1080 was abandoned. Victor McClean, a kiwi recovery contractor on the Coromandel Peninsula, claims to get over 50% chick survival – without 1080 poison.
As a representative for UnitedFuture, I can say that I will be working hard to ensure that the UnitedFuture policy of banning 1080, is realised – and more responsible, sustainable pest control methods are employed.
Some facts on 1080 poison –
1080 is not only a primary (kills victim after ingesting the bait) killer, but also causes secondary poisoning. For example, if a kea eats a poisonous bait, as was the case 3 weeks ago, it will die. If a kea, the only carrion (dead flesh) eating parrot in the world, were to eat a 1080 poisoned possum carcass, it may also die from secondary poisoning.
Poisoned carcasses can kill for months, even years after primary poisoning occurs.
1080 is persistent, especially in winter. Baits can last for months in dry and cold areas – and in regard to how 1080 breaks down in soil – research is still being undertaken.
1080 is a broad spectrum insecticide, and many of our native birds are killed by eating poisoned insects. Kiwi are omnivores – meaning they eat insects, and other types of foods. The Tongariro food supply of many native species has been repeatedly poisoned over the last 35 years. It’s hardly any wonder kiwi aren’t doing well. We could safely assume many other native species are in the same boat.
We are yet to see the full impact that the poisoning of New Zealand forests is going to have.
DOC has received $3.5 billion of taxpayer’s money in the past decade, and not a single endangered bird species is in recovery on mainland NZ. And they have another significant drop planned for 2016.
From Bill Wallace at stuff.co.nz
“DOC is currently preparing the New Zealand public for another massive aerial 1080 poisoning of our forests in winter 2016, supposedly in response to yet another beech mast.
Masts or good flowering years of beech trees and other native plants are normal sporadic events. Some native birds only breed in mast years, it’s the way of nature, fluctuations of populations in response to food supply and environmental conditions. The same natural fluctuations occur with introduced species.
Last year’s Battle for the Birds poisoned an area the size of Taranaki supposedly in response to a beech mast and rat plague. The beech mast was light to moderate in most areas, and rat numbers in high altitude areas were at zero at the time of the 1080 drop in many areas. 1080 is a cruel inhumane poison that effectively chemically strangles it’s victims to death over many hours for the birds or days for large mammals.”
“Aerial 1080 randomly scattered over vast areas of our bush and mountains, often in breach of DOC’s own scientist’s advice and Standards, is the “dirtiest and cruellest” pretence at Conservation amongst developed nations (personal observation).”
Environmental Health Watch NZ 
You must be logged in to post a comment.