The Expensive Mission: Eliminating a Lone, Elusive Creature
Discover why a significant sum was invested in eliminating a solitary male predator from a wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand. The decision to spend approximately $300,000 on eradicating a stoat on Chalky Island has sparked discussions on social platforms due to the hefty expense involved.
For the past 25 years, a remote part of southwest New Zealand has been a safe haven for endangered species. Among these are the world's only flightless parrot and a lizard that can only be found in this area.
Chalky Island, a rugged yet verdant 2-square-mile island in Fiordland, is the habitat of the unique Te Kākahu skink, the famous little spotted kiwi, and the kākāpō, a parrot that cannot fly and is now thought to number fewer than 250 in the wild.
In August 2022, conservation workers on the island discovered a single male stoat, a weasel-like mammal from Eurasia and North America known for preying on various animals and birds. Recognizing the threat it posed to the delicate ecosystem, they knew immediate action was necessary, even if it required a significant investment.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) of the country responded swiftly by launching a comprehensive biosecurity operation. This involved deploying trapping experts, dogs, trail cameras, helicopters, and boats. After eight months of intense effort, the mustelid was finally trapped and eliminated, marking a significant success according to one official.
A Kakapo, the worlds most endangered flightless parrot, Anchor Island, Fiordland New Zealand.
A Kakapo, the worlds most endangered flightless parrot, Anchor Island, Fiordland New Zealand.
Paul Nevin/Oxford Scientific RM/Getty Images
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"This is a significant victory, but we must continue to stay vigilant," said Rebecca Teele, the DOC incident controller, in a news release celebrating the capture of the stoat last April. "The site in Fiordland is of utmost importance for biodiversity, and it is essential that we take all necessary steps to safeguard the vulnerable species residing there."
The New Zealand Parliament's environment select committee recently released their annual review, which disclosed the cost of the mission to catch the stoat: close to $500,000 NZD (approximately $300,000 USD).
This revelation sparked discussions on social media, with one user on X expressing their surprise, stating: "I support protecting endangered animals, but that's a hefty sum."
Meanwhile, right-wing pressure group the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union asked: “What were they using to kill it — missiles?”
But officials defended the cost.
Aaron Fleming, who is the DOC operations director for Southern South Island, emphasized that not taking action would have been much more expensive for our kākāpō population.
He explained that the alternative would have been to transport the kākāpō off the island at a significant cost, which would have been a huge financial burden since there is no other suitable place to relocate them. The potential loss of not catching the stoat would have amounted to millions of dollars.
The critically endangered kākāpō is one of New Zealand’s unique treasures.
The critically endangered kākāpō is one of New Zealand’s unique treasures.
Liu Yang/iStockphoto/Getty Images
Invasive predator
Stoats, along with weasels and ferrets, were brought to New Zealand in the late 1800s to help manage the rabbit population that was damaging sheep pastures. However, they have ended up causing harm to the country's native bird species, with the Department of Conservation (DOC) linking them to the disappearance of certain subspecies.
A feral cat on the south shore of the Hokianga harbour in the Northland Region, New Zealand.
A feral cat on the south shore of the Hokianga harbour in the Northland Region, New Zealand.
JordiStock/iStockphoto/Getty Images
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Introduced predators in New Zealand are responsible for the annual deaths of approximately 25 million native birds, according to the Department of Conservation (DOC). This has put around 4,000 native species in danger of extinction.
To safeguard these vulnerable species, New Zealand has invested over $300 million since 2016 towards achieving its target of becoming a predator-free country by 2050, as reported by CNN affiliate RNZ.
The government is implementing a program to eliminate rats, possums, weasels, ferrets, and the troublesome stoat.
According to Carolyn M. King, an emeritus professor at the University of Waikato, the stoat is a small, energetic predator that poses a significant threat to native bush birds and lizards in inshore sanctuaries.
“They are small enough to enter the burrows of rabbits and rats, or even the dome nests of small birds, and sinuous enough to turn round inside.”
Stoats, along with fellow mustelids weasels and ferrets, are on New Zealand's hitlist.
Stoats, along with fellow mustelids weasels and ferrets, are on New Zealand's hitlist.
Stephan Morris Photography/Alamy
Stoats are also good at swimming. King mentioned a study where almost half of a small group of stoats swam continuously for over an hour. This suggests that there is a constant risk of stoats visiting or invading islands located 3 to 5 kilometers away from the mainland.
That includes Chalky Island.
Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) near wetland habitat in Boondall Wetlands in Brisbane, Australia on September 19, 2021.
Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) near wetland habitat in Boondall Wetlands in Brisbane, Australia on September 19, 2021.
Joshua Prieto/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
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Fleming, from the DOC, suggested that the infamous intruder may have swam to the island or hitched a ride on driftwood.
According to the DOC, Chalky Island and the neighboring Passage Islands have been free of predators since 1999 after the successful stoat eradication campaign.
Fleming believes that the recent invasion of stoats highlights the significance of the Predator Free 2050 initiative. He mentioned that by completely eliminating stoats from New Zealand, we can prevent future incursions and allow our wildlife to flourish.
Editor's P/S:
The conservation efforts detailed in the article are a testament to the challenges faced by endangered species in the face of invasive predators. The discovery of a single stoat on Chalky Island underscores the constant threat posed by these non-native animals, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing biosecurity measures. The significant cost of the operation, while undoubtedly substantial, is a necessary investment in preserving New Zealand's unique and vulnerable biodiversity.
The article also sheds light on the broader Predator Free 2050 initiative, which aims to eliminate introduced predators and safeguard native species. This ambitious goal requires substantial funding and collaboration, but its success would have profound implications for the country's ecosystem and the survival of its endangered wildlife. The eradication of stoats and other invasive species would not only protect individual populations but also create a more balanced and resilient natural environment for future generations.
