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An Auckland ferry operator has earned high praise from conservation officials after stopping a large rodent getting ashore on a rat-free island.
The Department of Conservation said last week 360 Discovery staff found a rat had been on board its ferry in Gulf Harbour. The ferry sailing to Tiritiri Matangi Island, a wildlife sanctuary free of pests, in the Hauraki Gulf, was cancelled and DoC staff laid a trap.
The large Norway rat was caught on the foredeck of the ferry the next morning.
DoC community relations officer Liz Maire said the ferry operator's decision not to sail and put the island at risk, deserved high praise.
"All we need is one pregnant rodent to come ashore on Tiritiri and we would have a major incident on our hands," she said. "Endangered species on the island include birds like the saddleback, which was wiped out on other islands by rats. Tiritiri has become a sanctuary for many threatened species that could be put at risk if visitors to the island are not vigilant and pest aware."
She said baiting for rats at Gulf Harbour Marina had been increased but that boaties needed to be aware rodents could be on their boats.
"We ask all boat owners to lay appropriate bait stations or traps on their boats at least two days before visiting conservation islands in the gulf. Visitors should check all containers and bags before they leave the mainland."
Norway rats were the largest of the three species in New Zealand and were known to swim over 400m.
Little Barrier, Motuora, Motuihe and Tiritiri Matangi islands in the Hauraki Gulf were all free of animal pests.
- NZPA
