'Absolutely stoked': Rangers declare Shakespear Regional Park stoat free

Caroline Williams Reporter from Rodney Times

Shakespear Regional Park has reclaimed its pest-free status, after a stoat incursion spanning almost two years.

The sanctuary provides wildlife such as kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), hihi (stitchbird) and tīeke (saddleback) with a safe and pest-free habitat.

However, that safety was compromised after a stoat was spotted in March 2020.

By summer, it was evident the stoat had given birth, as the DNA analysis of scat (poo) samples had identified the presence of nine individual stoats, Auckland Council senior ranger at the sanctuary Matt Maitland said.

In early August 2021, the eighth stoat was captured. No more have been caught since. It's possible the ninth male stoat, last seen on camera on August 22, may have left the sanctuary or had “had some other misadventure” befall it.

Cautious of declaring the stoat incursion over, due to the high stakes for wildlife, the team allowed the stoats a breeding cycle before celebrating the sanctuary as stoat free in late January.

Maitland said he was “absolutely stoked” to see the end of the stoat saga.

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