Project outline

Current predator control established in 2000 is a perimeter of stoat traps checked and re-baited six monthly to keep stoats from re-establishing on the Island. This regime has proven successful.

As a result of the devastation immigrant predators have caused to our natural environment conservationists in New Zealand have developed methods to combat these natural born killers and hence are world leaders in island pest eradications.

The eradication of rats on the island will take place in the form of an aerial poison operation.

The island is 500m from the mainland which means it would be very unlikely for a rat to reinvade the island by swimming.

Reasonable and sound quarantine procedures in place for local industry in Fiordland and a number of strategically placed traps will help to mitigate rats and mice re-establishing on the island.

Cost – one-off           $70,000

Timeframe
The operation would be completed within 12 to 18 months of securing the funding. The poison application would take place in the winter months.

Project code – indian1

Pest Eradication on Indian Island, Dusky Sound – Fiordland Ecology Holidays and Ultimate Hikes

Fiordland Ecology Holidays
Ultimate Hikes

Indian Island lies within Dusky near the mouth of the sound. Apart from possessing the usual forest dwellers that we see today anywhere in New Zealand’s forest, Indian Island is no longer ‘alive’ as it once was prior to human settlement. Indian is missing the cheeky call of the saddleback, the noisy chatter of mohua, the haunting resonance of kokako and many other forgotten sounds unique to New Zealand forest. In recent times stoats were eradicated off the island however Indian is still inhabited by destructive rodents.

Indian Island is a low lying forested island 168 hectares in size and is one of Dusky Sounds special sites cloaked in maori history. Back in 1773 Captain Cook first sighted the indigenous people of Fiordland on Indian Island hence the name. Evidence of maori settlement on the island is still visible today.

Fiordland Ecology Holidays have adopted the “Pest Eradication on Indian Island” project, targeted to be undertaken in conjunction with DOC, in winter 2010. FEH, in conjunction with the Fiordland Conservation Trust, wish to raise the targeted $70,000 required to fund the eradication of rats on this island.

Ultimate Hikes are the only operators of multiday guided walks on the famous Milford & Routeburn Tracks. Based in Queenstown and operating in the stunning South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, the company provides a range of all-inclusive guided walks from 1 to 8 days, making these iconic tracks accessible to walkers of all abilities. Visitors trek through rainforests, past mighty mountain peaks and over remote alpine passes without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Accommodation on overnight walks is in comfortable lodges, with three-course meals, hot showers and snug beds. All walks include transport, fantastic cuisine, equipment and expert guides.

Indian Island Update - 21 September 2010

With our target funding of $70,000 met earlier on in the year, the Fiordland Conservation Trust have been able to carry out the pest eradication poison drop over the winter, with the final drop earlier this month. It is absolutely fantastic to have this completed, and now we wait in anticipation to see how successful this eradication will be. I will post some more details and photos when they are available.

A huge thank you to all of you who so generously donated to this project, and a special thanks must go to Lance & Ruth Shaw formally of Fiordland Ecology Holidays for their tremendous support of this project. Their enthusiasm to see Indian Island restored to its former glory was absolutely key to getting the funds raised so quickly. Also grateful thanks to Ultimate Hikes, Tom & Currie Barron and Ian & Jenny Willans who also contributed significantly to help see this project progress.

We will continue to update you on the project as the results come in. Please remember that we will keep raising funds to begin introducing various bird species back on to the Island as funding permits. Thank you for your support!

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Photography © : PhotoArt Fiordland    Rod Morris    Department of Conservation