The Department of Conservation (DOC) has begun aerial bait drops on the two Hauraki Gulf islands of Rangitoto and Motutapu. The aim is to wipe out pests such as rats, feral cats, rabbits and stoats (following the successful eradication of possums and wallabies). This will create a sanctuary for native species such as kiwi, takahe and tuatara, and also protect the world's largest pohutukawa forest on Rangitoto.
You can link here to DOC's pest control and restoration plans for these islands (have a good look around the DOC site: it's informative and well laid-out).
As none of us have had the opportunity to fully enjoy New Zealand's wonderful bush and birdlife as it was before European impact, it's exciting to think this restoration may bring that ideal to our doorstep within a decade...
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