Waitākere Ranges rats at record level, leading to fears for endangered kōkako

Thursday, 15 August 2019

Broadcaster Jesse Mulligan sets traps in his backyard to catch rats and help save native birdlife. This video first screened in 2019.

Rat numbers have soared to record winter levels in a regional park, threatening endangered wildlife.

Forest and Bird has warned the number of rats in West Auckland's Waitākere Ranges will increase as the weather gets warmer, posing serious risks to the endangered kōkako in particular as they are especially vulnerable to rats and stoats.

'Staff and volunteers have been preparing for this predicted boom in rats but we're still deeply concerned for the native species in the ranges,' Forest and Bird's Gillian Wadams said.

Rat numbers have soared to record winter levels in the Waitākere Ranges.

Testing showed rats had walked through 32 per cent of tracking tunnels laid in the ranges.

* Kōkako recovery receives another welcome injection of health from heritage fund

* Pirongia residents implored to protect kōkako from domestic cats**

Emergency efforts are underway to protect endangered kōkako.

'These numbers are well above the five percent that allows birds to survive and breed, and far higher than the one per cent needed for all kōkako chicks to be safe from rats,' Wadams said.

'We fear stoat and weasel numbers are much higher than normal too. We're heading into bird breeding season, so it's important we get these predators under control now.'

Three Forest and Bird staff members and about 400 volunteers were currently trapping and rat baiting in the area.

This year is a 'mega mast' year and trees are producing exceptionally high amounts of seed, which boosts rodent numbers.

Wadams said climate change added to the problem, as masts were becoming more frequent and rats were able to breed all year during mild winters.

'We're doing everything we can, but mast years seem more frequent with climate change, so rats, stoats, and possums are an increasing risk to our native wildlife.'

West Auckland has been plagued by rat problems in the last few months, in June, rats 'as big as cats' were said to be everywhere in Titirangi Village.

Locals said the rodents were running rampant near shops, cafes, retaining walls and car parks.