ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM MOUNT CARGILL - OSPRI

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ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM MOUNT CARGILL - OSPRI
ERADICATING
BOVINE TB FROM
MOUNT CARGILL
JULY 2018 | VERSION 2.0

TB MANAGEMENT
AREAS
                                                     TMA Boundary

The TBfree programme aims to
control and eventually eradicate
bovine tuberculosis (TB) from
New Zealand by 2055.
We use possum control, along with
regular herd testing and movement
restrictions, to achieve this objective.
Information gathered from wild
animal surveys, recent and historic
findings of TB in wild animals, herd
testing results and the operational
history of the region is used when
planning operations.
The TBfree programme is delivered
through TB management areas
(TMAs). These areas were created
based on the likely or possible
presence of TB in wildlife, similar
habitat features, known disease
patterns, geography and control
history. Each TMA has a specific TB
control plan designed to eradicate
TB as effectively as possible.
A TMA is made up of one or more            NZ Topographic Series Maps sourced from the LINZ Data Service and licensed by LINZ for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand license.

Vector Control Zones (VCZs) within
which possum control or wildlife           notice of any specific operation.                                                the east, with the northern boundary
survey operations may be carried           All operation dates provided are                                                 consisting of farmland. Dunedin City
out from year to year, depending           provisional and subject to consultation.                                         provides the main southern boundary.
on wild animals present, habitat,
                                           MOUNT CARGILL
                                                                                                                            There are areas of native bush, pine
progress toward TB eradication                                                                                              forest and farmland within the project
and available funding.
                                           The Mount Cargill TMA covering                                                   area as well as numerous recreational
This notice provides an overview           12,449 ha is located on the flanks of                                            opportunities for Dunedin residents.
of TB control work planned for the         Mount Cargill near Dunedin. It extends                                           Possum habitat is plentiful and some
Mount Cargill TMA. It is not a formal      to SH1 in the west, Otago Harbour in                                             is quite difficult to access.

                           TBfree is an OSPRI programme                                                         ospri.co.nz                                        0800 482 463
ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM MOUNT CARGILL - OSPRI
MOUNT CARGILL                              These goals are ahead of the national
                                           objectives of TB freedom in livestock
                                                                                       CONSULTATION
TB HISTORY                                 by 2026, and TB freedom in possums          OSPRI aims to ensure that
                                           by 2040. We aim to have eradicated          communities, land occupiers and
Bovine tuberculosis was identified in
a total of five herds in the TB Vector                                                 land users are notified of planned
                                           TB from New Zealand by 2055.
Free Area of Mt Cargill near Dunedin                                                   operations well in advance and have
                                                                                       the opportunity to submit feedback
                                           TARGETING
City between November 2015 and
June 2016. A further herd suffered                                                     about any possible risks or sensitive
a TB breakdown in April 2017. Initial
investigations implicated a local
                                           POSSUMS                                     areas that need to be managed.
                                                                                       OSPRI will always seek the willing
feral source. Following active wildlife    To eradicate bovine TB from possum
                                                                                       cooperation of land occupiers when
surveillance in response to these          populations, possum numbers need
                                                                                       TBfree programme work needs to
findings, TB was also found in a cluster   to be kept extremely low – around
                                                                                       be carried out on their land.
of possums on or directly adjacent to      one to two animals every ten hectares.
the properties with the infected herds.                                                Before any operations begin,
                                           Previous wildlife control and livestock     affected landowners and occupiers
The area was subsequently made
part of the Otago Vector Risk Area         disease management has reduced              will be contacted and visited by
and extensive possum control               the number of infected herds in the         one of our contractors. Depending
operations commenced.                      Mount Cargill TMA. This work needs          on the methods used and the location
                                           to continue to provide assurance            of the operations, consents may be

CONTROL                                    that TB has been removed from the
                                           resident possum population.
                                                                                       required from the Department of
                                                                                       Conservation and Ministry of Health.
HISTORY
Since 2016, when TB was discovered
in herds in this area there has been         OPERATIONAL TIMEFRAME
ground based possum control in the
                                             Planned control and surveillance management activities
last two years covering 5,500 ha.
                                             are outlined in the table below.
Mount Cargill was worked during
2016/2017 and during 2017/2018               TYPE OF              WHEN?* HOW MANY                                 WHERE?
parts of Mount Cargill and                   CONTROL                     HECTARES?
Heyward were controlled.                     Ground Control      2018/2019           2,300                         Flagstaff
                                             Ground Control     2019/2020            12,500             Flagstaff, Heyward,
ERADICATION                                                                                                   Mount Cargill
GOALS                                        Ground Control     2020/2021            12,500             Flagstaff, Heyward,
                                                                                                              Mount Cargill
OSPRI’s main goals for TB control in
the Mount Cargill area are TB freedom        Hectares under control are indicative only and may change after consultation.
in livestock, possums and the Mount          * The operational year runs from 1 July – 30 June
Cargill TMA by 2026.

                           TBfree is an OSPRI programme                         ospri.co.nz                0800 482 463
ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM MOUNT CARGILL - OSPRI
2018/19 OPERATIONS

                TBfree is an OSPRI programme   ospri.co.nz   0800 482 463
ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM MOUNT CARGILL - OSPRI
THE METHOD                               Following control work, the possum
                                         population density may also be
GROUND CONTROL                           monitored to assess the operation’s
                                         success. From the results, we’ll be
Our contractors will be using toxins
and traps to carry out this possum
                                         able to tell if further possum control
                                         work needs to be done in the area.
                                                                                   CONTACT
control operation.
                                                                                   DETAILS
                                         TESTING HERDS
Different toxins are used depending
on the size and terrain of the                                                     OSPRI Dunedin Office
operational area. Toxins will either     Cattle and deer herds are monitored       PO Box 5745
be placed in bait stations, stapled      for TB through a combination of           Moray Place
to trees in biodegradable bags or        herd testing and carcass inspection       Dunedin 9058
hand-laid. Contractors will consult      at slaughter. The frequency of testing    P 03 477 9829
with landowners on which toxin           depends on the herd’s location,           E cr_ssi@ospri.co.nz
will be used to ensure the safety        management and TB history.                ospri.co.nz
of livestock, pets and native animals.   To check the testing frequency
                                                                                   High Country
There are many different types of        for your property visit
                                                                                   Contracting Limited
traps, such as leg hold or kill traps.   ospri.co.nz/dcamap
                                                                                   P 0508 767 786
In choosing the right one, we will                                                 E info@highcountrycontracting.co.nz
take into consideration ease of
access, set-up and maintenance
                                         MOVEMENT
time, animal welfare factors and         CONTROL
the potential risks to livestock,        The Mount Cargill TMA is in the
pets and native animals.                 Coastal/Central Otago Movement
On occasion our contractors may          Control Area. As a result, TB testing
also use corflute chew cards or wax      is required for cattle and deer before
tags to identify possum populations      they are moved to another herd
where control is required.               or farm.

POSSUM                                   WHAT NEXT?
POPULATION                               Dates and control methods for the
                                         proposed operations are provisional
ASSSESSMENT                              and subject to consultation. OSPRI
Before control work is carried           contractors will be in contact with
out an assessment of the wildlife        affected landowners and occupiers
population may be undertaken.            before any work commences.

                            TBfree is an OSPRI programme                      ospri.co.nz          0800 482 463
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