An island in the Marlborough Sounds has been restored to its predator-free status after an eradication operation successfully removed mice.
Maud Island/Te Pakeka has been an important wildlife sanctuary since the 1970s, but mice were found on the island in spring 2013. The Department of Conservation (DOC) ran an operation the following winter using brodifacoum bait to target the mice.
DOC announced this week that two years have passed since the last dead mouse was found on the island, giving confidence that the eradication was successful.
Maud Island is home to a number or rare species, including the Maud Island frog (pictured), Cook Strait giant weta and orange-fronted kakariki.
The announcement was covered in local media:
Newshub: Mice eradicated on Maud Island
Stuff.co.nz: Maud Island regains predator-free status after mice eradication