Feral pigs almost eradicated from Waiheke Island
Nearly all the feral pigs have been eliminated from Auckland's Waiheke Island.
The pig control initiative is part of Auckland Council's work under the Regional Pest Management Plan to protect the island's environment, human health and taonga.
Auckland Council senior conservation advisor Deryn Dromgoole said the feral pig control programme had been undertaken strategically across Waiheke over the last four years.
The council had worked closely with landowners to achieve results, he said.
“We’re now at a point where feral pigs remain at very limited numbers in a localised area on the island and we believe that eradication can be achieved sooner than we had originally anticipated.”
Feral pigs can have significant negative impacts on native ecosystems, primary production, infrastructure and are potential vectors of kauri dieback disease and bovine tuberculosis.
Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board co-chair Danella Roebeck said the trustees were supportive of the feral pig control work at their Waiheke Station.
“In addition to the negative impacts feral pigs can have on indigenous species, they also affect production systems by damaging pasture and grain crops, and, more rarely, killing and eating lambs," Roebeck said.
Waiheke Local Board Chair Cath Handley said Waiheke was free of kauri dieback disease and the board needed to be proactive to keep it that way.
"Pigs damage kauri roots which can cause infections to start, and pigs roaming can spread the disease.
“We also need to make sure our waterways are protected from erosion and sedimentation that can result from pig rooting.”
A feral pig is caught in the headlights of a motion capture camera.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.4% Yes
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15.1% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
Test Your Wits! Today's Riddle Will Keep You Guessing!
Only one colour, but not one size,
Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies.
Present in the sun, but not in rain,
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.
What is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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