When the stoat's away, the rats will play in South Island forests

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-10-28 11:20

New Zealand

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Rat-tracking researchers saw an increase in the rodent population in Nelson beech forests after a stoat trapping operation - in contrast to previous research in mixed North Island forests. The scientists suggest once stoats are removed, it leaves room for rats to be more successful predators. They say since stoat control is relatively easy and rat control relatively difficult, land managers need to balance the threats to wildlife when deciding to trap stoats.