New Zealand. Will Wellington become the first rat-free capital?
In early November, the Miramar Peninsula declared victory. After “Years of effort” And eliminate the last rats, As reported by the news website New Shop, This Wellington suburb has been declared predator-free. Along with rats, weasels and stoats have also disappeared from the area.
“It took a long time, but today we are at zero.” James Wilcox, director of the Predator Free Wellington project, was delighted.
“As far as we know, this has never happened before anywhere else in the world. It took a lot of effort, and thousands and thousands of people helped us.”
Over the years, about 10,000 bait traps were installed on an area of 10,000 hectares. Hundreds of cameras made it possible to measure the results obtained day after day. Quickly, Confirmed RNZ On her websiteProgress has been recorded. “We have already seen a 71% increase in the detection of endemic birds, including a 500% increase in endemic bird numbers.” piwakawaka [rhipidures à collier] And 340% for Rererero [gérygones de Nouvelle-Zélande].population Mokomoko (lizards) and com.weta [insectes de l’ordre des orthoptères] Also increase