Our ref:
19-E-0123
File ref:
5890259
20 March 2019
Claire Ogilwy
[FYI request #9657 email]
Dear Ms Ogilwy
Thank you for your Official Information Act request to the Department of Conservation, dated
24 February 2019. You requested the following:
1. Can you please provide all internal and external correspondence relating to the
Whio poisoned as part of the Battle for our Birds 1080 operation Mt Egmont
2016.
2. Sample records 20554 from Ngatoro Stream, 20598 and 20599 from Maketawa
Stream tested positive for 1080 residues as per DoC’s Vertebrate Pesticide
Residue Database.
3. Please provide copies of DOC field notes in relation to the Whio monitoring that
occurred on the following dates: 7, 13, 16, 22 December 2016 and 5, 6, 11
January 2017.
4. Please confirm the laboratory that tested the samples.
5. Were these samples frozen before testing and how long were they stored before
testing? This information is important as the ERMA 2007 review noted under-
reporting regarding freezing samples at -20c. What temperature do you freeze
samples and at whose recommendation.
6. Why did you not include the 1080 testing of Whio scat samples in your
Operational Report to the EPA?
7. Why is your VRPD Database so different than Landcares? Why do you not fill in
the Mandatory Fields so that the public can see what the sample types relate to
rather than a reference number? Please provide an up to date version with
missing mandatory fields filled in.
8. Please provide information relating to the Whio that must have been presented
dead after a 1080 drop for Landcare to be testing Muscle tissue for 1080
residues 14/11/16. Please advise if this Whio duck was frozen and how long was
it stored before testing.
9. Are you aware of the Montana 1981 study (that wasn’t included in ERMA’s 2007
“extensive” scientific research) that shows detection levels of 1080 decrease in
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
Kirikiriroa / Hamilton Office
Private Bag 3072, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
www.doc.govt.nz
correlation to freezing samples and increased storage time. 1080 within muscle
samples decreased by 79% and stomach and content by 49% over 14 days.
10. Is this why in your Kiwi Best Practice you advise not to freeze samples?
www.kiwisforkiwi.org/kiwipractitioners/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Kiwi-
Best-Practice-Manual.pdf
11. Are you aware of the following study by Landcare published in 2000
BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES INDUCED BY
SODIUM MONOFLUOROACETATE (1080) IN MALLARD DUCKS
The comparatively few published studies that exist on the sub-lethal
effects of 1080 (Eason et al. 1999; O’Connor et al. 1999) indicate that
histopathological damage to key target organs may occur at extremely
low dose levels. There is some species variation in the target organs that
are affected by 1080 which may, in part, be due to differences in
biochemical responses of different organs or, in the case of birds, reflect
heightened metabolic activity in muscle tissue. Exposure to sub-lethal
doses may in some instances be sufficient to have long-term detrimental
effects. The effects observed in this study in key organs, such as heart
and wing muscle, highlights the need to monitor individuals or
populations in the medium- to long-term to ensure there are no longer-
term adverse effects on non-target wildlife. Effort to minimise exposure
of birds continues to be of paramount concern to wildlife management
agencies. Histopathological examination of wing muscle could assist in
the diagnosis of 1080 poisoning.
When Whio ducks have consumed 1080, this is likely to make them more prone to
predation and/or ill health. How is DOC going to manage how many poisoned
insects Whio eat, or are the Whio eating baits direct?
I have experienced a delay finalising the response to your request due to the consultation
necessary. I will respond to you by 29 March 2019 at the latest.
You are entitled to seek an investigation and review of this decision by making a written
complaint to an Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the Official Information Act.
Yours sincerely
David Speirs
Director, Operations
Hauraki Waikato Taranaki Region
