Campaigner thrilled no poison drop

The proposed aerial 1080 drop in the Matukituki Valley will not go ahead. The Department of Conservation says it will focus on higher priority areas.

About 18,509ha of the Matukituki Valley in the Mt Aspiring National Park, covering parts of both the east and west valleys, was part of the operation.

Department of Conservation Wanaka spokeswoman Annette Grieve said the Battle for Our Birds operation would now focus on high-priority areas.

Rodent numbers were lower in the Matukituki Valley and the bird populations were considered to be at less risk than in other areas, she said.

Unsettled weather in the past month had meant an aerial operation in the Makarora Valley had yet to start with the pre-feed stage.

With unsettled weather forecast for at least the next week, it was unknown when the pre-feed would be dropped, Ms Grieve said.

A planned 1080 drop in a similar area last year did not proceed, because of weather and GPS plotting problems. Operators only managed to drop the pre-feed pellets.

Anti-1080 campaigner Carol Sawyer was thrilled the proposed drop in the Matukituki would not go ahead. She said Doc would be worried it would be unable to carry out the Makarora programme after what happened last year.

She was still concerned what had happened to the poison intended for previous programme, as it had a limited shelf-life.

A decision by Doc early this month to suspended the use of all Robinson helicopters to transport staff, volunteers and contractors is unlikely to impact the Battle for Our Birds operation.