The Department of Conservation is investigating the unexplained discovery of a dead stoat on Stewart Island.<\/p>\n
Rakiura is known to be stoat-free with the nearest population 30km away across the Foveaux Strait.<\/p>\n
The dead stoat was found on the Rakiura Great Walk Track earlier this month with its skull crushed, either from a trap or similar blunt force.<\/p>\n
The department’s Southern South Island Director of Operations, Aaron Fleming, said a stoat’s swimming range was 2km and they were not known to stowaway on boats.<\/p>\n
“This stoat has died from a head injury then mysteriously turned up on a busy walking track,” Fleming said.<\/p>\n
“We need to know if we are dealing with a new significant threat to Rakiura’s native species, or if this stoat has been transported from elsewhere and planted deliberately.<\/p>\n
“Both scenarios are disturbing. We are taking this seriously.”<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the first time the pest has been found on the island. (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n
Genetic testing was underway to try to work out where the stoat had come from.<\/p>\n
The department was asking anyone with information to come forward.<\/p>\n
Fleming said stoats would have devastating impacts on the native wildlife if they established a population on Rakiura, threatening the efforts to create a predator-free space for k\u0101k\u0101p\u014d to be returned.<\/p>\n
“In other places in New Zealand where there are stoats, kiwi chick survival can be as low as zero without sustained pest control,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Imagine the damage stoats could do on Rakiura, which is known for its tokoeka or southern brown kiwi population.”<\/p>\n
A predator free project was working to eradicate all of the island’s existing pest species, which included rats, possums, feral cats and hedgehogs.<\/p>\n
Introducing pests including stoats was illegal and penalties included up to five years imprisonment and significant fines.<\/p>\n