The national pest management plan aimed to eradicate the disease from at least a quarter of the country’s total TB risk area by 2026.
'Dogs owners must be extra vigilant by keeping their animals well away from areas where warning signs are present.'
In TB risk areas possums caused most new herd infections in farmed cattle and deer.
“To declare this area free of TB, wild animal surveys will be undertaken after the operation to check for the presence or absence of the disease,” Bubb said.
“However, the risk remains that illegally introducing wild animals, such as pigs and deer, into the Rangitoto area could cause TB to return after it has been proven to be eradicated.
“It is also an offence under the Wild Animal Control Act.
“It would be a shame to jeopardise this work through such reckless behaviour as reintroducing wild animals from other areas. Since 2011, 800,000 hectares of the country’s TB risk area has been declared free of the disease.”
The co-operation of farmers and landowners in testing their animals and allowing access to their land for TB control operations was paramount to achieving freedom from the disease.
Strict regulations had to be followed when doing pest control operations. They included consent from various organisations, including the Waikato Regional Council, extensive consultation with affected land occupiers, and the placement of warning signs at each main access point to the operational area.
“Dogs owners must be extra vigilant by keeping their animals well away from areas where warning signs are present.
“It will not be safe for your dog to re-enter the area until all signs have been officially removed,” Bubb said.
Anyone who suspected a dog might have eaten a toxin should take it to the nearest veterinarian immediately. All local vets were aware possum control was taking place in the area and what methods had been used.
“Dog owners have a personal responsibility to keep their animals under control at all times, particularly near operational areas,” Bubb said.
Department of Conservation (DOC) senior biodiversity ranger Tertia Thurley said some of NZ’s rarest bird and plant species would benefit from the pest control operation.
“DOC is working closely with TBfree NZ to ensure the best results possible for native wildlife.
“A wide range of native forest birds, trees and wildlife also stand to benefit from the knock back of predators like possums, rats and stoats,” she said.
