Vector Control Services
Vector Control Services provides biosecurity and vertebrate pest management services to protect New Zealand's primary industries sector and natural environment. Our experienced team deliver aerial control, ground control and animal surveillance operations across New Zealand. To find out more about VCS please contact info@vcs.net.nz
Aerial Control Operations
Arawhata – 2022 Aerial Predator Control Operation – The Arawhata aerial predator control operation has been postponed until the first available weather window from the 1st May 2023.
The operation was originally planned to start from 1st May 2022, however the weather didn’t allow prefeed application until 20th June. The Department of Conservations Best Practice for aerial predator control recommends a maximum of 30 days between prefeed and toxic application. Beyond 30 days the likelihood increases that new rats have been born and reached maturity which have had no exposure to prefeed bait. Continuing wet and unfavourable conditions exceeded the 30 day timeframe which is set to maximize the benefit of the prefeed. With no favourable weather patterns on the horizon, a decision to apply a second pre-feed or delay the work was assessed with advice from the Department of Conservations Technical Advisory Group, as well as taking into account operational considerations.
Karamea Aerial Possum Control 2023
OSPRI as part of its TB eradication programme are proposing to undertake control of possums in the Karamea area. This control will be in the form of an aerial application of Sodium fluoroacetate [1080] in cereal pellet form to approximately 29, 000 hectares from Ngakawau Gorge in the south to Kohaihai River to the north. OSPRI has contracted Vector Control Services (VCS) to manage and undertake the planned operation. (see map).
Karamea aerial possum control is targeting possums as part of OSPRI’s working towards TB eradication. This work supports ground work control programmes in the area and livestock testing. To achieve Proof of Freedom from TB, possum numbers must be kept low for several years.
The operation will have additional conservation benefits for native birds and bush. Our work adjoins larger predator control operations planned by DOC in 2023, these lay to the east to the east and will support the protection of native wildlife like whio, great spotted kiwi, kaka, powelliphanta land snails and long tailed bats.
This operation is planned for May and June 2023.
Warning signs will be installed at public entry points and throughout the area. Possum carcass and bait monitoring will occur to determine when the area is toxic free. Please treat the area with caution until monitoring results have determined there is no further risk and all warning signs have been removed.
Paparoa Range and Te Wharau Aerial Possum Control 2023
Paparoa Range and Te Wharau Aerial Possum Control is a joint possum and predator control operation between OSPRI and the Department of Conservation. This collaboration will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of achieving their respective objectives: OSPRI, to eradicate TB and DOC, to protect native plants and wildlife.
This control will be in the form of an aerial application of Sodium fluoroacetate [1080] in cereal pellet form to approximately 47,400 hectares from Mt Pecksniff and the head waters of Big River in the south to Buller River to the north. OSPRI and DOC have contracted Vector Control Services (VCS) to manage and undertake the planned operation. (see map).
Paparoa aerial possum control is targeting possums as part of OSPRI’s working towards TB eradication. This work supports ground work control programmes in the area and livestock testing. To achieve Proof of Freedom from TB, possum numbers must be kept low for several years.
The Paparoa Range is a valuable site for DOC. It consists of podocarp and beech forest as well as alpine tussock. It is home to vulnerable native species including Roroa/great spotted kiwi. Predator control will increase the survival rate of vulnerable native species in the region. An example is monitoring in 2017 in Northern Paparoa Range showed 100% of roroa chicks were predated by stoats.
This operation is planned from July 2023.
Warning signs will be installed at public entry points and throughout the area. Possum carcass and bait monitoring will occur to determine when the area is toxic free. Please treat the area with caution until monitoring results have determined there is no further risk and all warning signs have been removed
Ground Control Operations
Grey Valley North – 2022/23 Ground Possum Control Operation – In progress
The Grey Valley North control operation is currently in progress.
Please treat the area with caution until the warning signs are removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.
Hari Hari – 2022/23 Ground Possum Control Operation – In progress
The Hari Hari ground control operation is currently in progress.
Please treat the area with caution until the warning signs are removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.
Western Paparoas and Needle Point – 2023 Ground Possum Control Operation
The Western Paparoas and Needle Point control operation is currently set to start approximately the 20th of February.
Please treat the area with caution until the warning signs are removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.
Ngahere – 2022/23 Ground Possum Control Operation – In progress
The Ngahere ground control operation is currently in progress.
Please treat the area with caution until the warning signs are removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.
Inchbonnie and Rotomanu – 2022/2023 Ground Possum Control Operation
The Inchbonnie and Rotomanu control operation is currently set to start approximately on the 13th of March 2023.
Please treat the area with caution until the warning signs are removed. Please read and comply with any warning sings present.
