Rock wrens safe from 1080

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-10-24 03:00

New Zealand

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Researchers have reported a 100% survival rate for 15 rock wrens monitored by radio-tags and bands after a 1080 drop in Kahurangi National Park. None of the birds died within the 8-day risk period for direct 1080 poisoning and one that died afterwards didn't test positive for 1080, suggesting it didn't reach the wrens' food chain. However, there were some welfare concerns for the wrens carrying radio monitoring tags, including higher rates of nest abandonment. The authors say it looks likely several rock wrens that died after a 1080 drop in 2014 were killed by an unseasonable snowstorm rather than poisoning, and that further monitoring should use less invasive and time-consuming techniques.