Tītitipounamu benefit from 1080 drops for two breeding seasons

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Last modified: 08 Jul 2025 10:49pm
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Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-12-12 03:00

New Zealand

Titipounamu rifleman (juvenile female) clinging to tree trunk. Image by Melissa Boardman via Wikimedia commons

Researchers have observed strong benefits from aerial 1080 pest control for tītitipounamu survival and nest success in three beech forests across the motu, with benefits for nest success extending to the second breeding season after a 1080 drop. Juvenile birds living in areas that had aerial 1080 drops had a 62% annual survivorship rate, compared to just 19% for those birds living in untreated areas. Likewise, adults living in treated areas had an 84% annual survivorship rate, compared to 43% for those without aerial pest control. Population modelling indicated that predator control every three years or so is necessary to maintain stable or increasing tītitipounamu populations.