ERADICATING BOVINE TB FROM ROLLESTON RANGE - OSPRI
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ERADICATING
BOVINE TB FROM
ROLLESTON RANGE
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
Vector Control Zones (VCZs) within
which possum control or wildlife
survey operations may be carried
out from year to year, depending dates provided are provisional including catchments of the
on wild animals present, habitat, and subject to consultation. Wilberforce, Rakaia and Mathias
progress toward TB eradication Rivers, and the Rolleston Range.
and available funding.
ROLLESTON The habitat is grassy river flats to
high bush-clad ranges. Altitudes
This notice provides an overview of TB
control work planned for the Rolleston RANGE span from about 500m in river beds
Range TMA. It is not a formal notice of The Rolleston Range TMA covers to the tops of the Rolleston Range
any specific operation. All operation 55,648 ha east of the Main Divide, at around 2000m.
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
infection from wildlife it can be
difficult and costly to detect TB in
possum populations. Pigs are good
indicators of TB in possums because
they scavenge widely, so are likely
to get TB from eating TB-infected
possum carcasses. They can’t maintain
TB within their own population, so
if they are infected, it means it’s from
another species. Pig survey results will
help us to tell if TB is still in the area
and whether further possum control
work needs to be done.
CONSULTATION
OSPRI aims to ensure that
communities, land occupiers and
ROLLESTON TARGETING land users are notified of planned
RANGE POSSUMS operations well in advance and have
the opportunity to submit feedback
TB HISTORY To eradicate bovine TB from possum
populations, possum numbers need
about any possible risks or sensitive
areas that need to be managed.
The Rolleston Range TMA has a recent
to be kept extremely low – around
history of TB in wildlife and livestock. OSPRI will always seek the willing
one to two animals every ten hectares.
In 2011 TB was simultaneously cooperation of land occupiers when
identified in pigs, possums and a local Previous possum control and TBfree programme work needs to
cattle herd and these were all linked livestock disease management has be carried out on their land.
by the same strain of TB bacterium. dramatically reduced the number
Before any operations begin, affected
An extensive possum control and of infected herds in the Northern
landowners and occupiers will be
TB surveillance programme has been Canterbury/Marlborough region.
contacted and visited by one of
in place since then. However monitoring has shown that
our contractors. Depending on the
further control work is needed in
methods used and the location of the
the Rolleston Range area to reduce
CONTROL the possum population, to minimise
operations, consents may be required
from the Department of Conservation
HISTORY the risk of the disease spreading
through wild animal populations and
and Ministry of Health.
Ground based possum control has onto farmed cattle and deer and to
been undertaken annually in the ensure further good progress towards
Rolleston Range area between 2012 disease eradication.
and 2018.
A pig survey was undertaken in 2016 PIG SURVEY
throughout this TMA. Before an area can be classed as
Aerial possum control was undertaken TB-free, surveys are used to assess
in 2012 over approximately 40,000 ha. if TB is still present in wildlife. While
© Matt Winter
possums are the main source of
ERADICATION
GOALS OPERATIONAL TIMEFRAME
OSPRI’s main goals for TB control Planned control and surveillance management activities
in the Rolleston Range area are: are outlined in the table below.
• Maintain TB freedom in livestock TYPE OF WHEN?* HOW MANY WHERE?
CONTROL HECTARES?
• TB freedom in possums and the
Rolleston Range TMA by 2020. Ground Control 2018/2019 16,300 Rolleston Range
Pig Survey 2018/2019 56,000 Rolleston Range
These goals are ahead of the national
objectives of TB freedom in livestock Ground Control 2019/2020 16,300 Rolleston Range
by 2026, and TB freedom in possums Hectares under control are indicative only and may change after consultation.
by 2040. We aim to have eradicated * The operational year runs from 1 July – 30 June
TB from New Zealand by 2055.
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
2018/19 OPERATIONS
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
THE METHOD ear-tagged with a transmitter,
will lead hunters to other pigs. WHAT NEXT?
GROUND CONTROL A selection of those pigs can be Dates and control methods for the
shot and checked for the presence proposed operations are provisional
Our contractors will be using toxins
of TB. Another method, Sentinel Pig and subject to consultation. OSPRI
and traps to carry out this possum
surveillance, involves releasing an contractors will be in contact with
control operation.
ear-tagged, disease-free pig into an affected landowners and occupiers
Different toxins are used depending area to scavenge local wildlife that before any work commences.
on the size and terrain of the may be carrying TB. The pig is later
operational area. Toxins will either recovered and examined to check
be placed in bait stations, stapled to for TB infection.
trees in biodegradable bags or hand-
laid. Contractors will consult with
POSSUM
CONTACT
landowners on which toxin will be
used to ensure the safety of livestock, POPULATION
pets and native animals.
ASSSESSMENT DETAILS
There are many different types of Before control work is carried out an
traps, such as leg hold or kill traps. OSPRI Christchurch office
assessment of the wildlife population
In choosing the right one, we will take PO Box 8674
may be undertaken.
into consideration ease of access, Riccarton
set-up and maintenance time, animal Following control work, the possum Christchurch 8440
welfare factors and the potential risks population density may also be P 03 363 3090
to livestock, pets and native animals. monitored to assess the operation’s E vectornsi@ospri.co.nz
success. From the results, we’ll be ospri.co.nz
On occasion our contractors may also able to tell if further possum control
use corflute chew cards or wax tags High Country Contracting Limited
work needs to be done in the area.
to identify possum populations where P 0508 767 786
control is required. E info@highcountrycontracting.co.nz
TESTING HERDS
PIG SURVEY Cattle and deer herds are monitored
Our contractors will collect wild pigs for TB through a combination of herd
for disease surveillance, using one testing and carcass inspection at
of three proven methods. Pigs may slaughter. The frequency of testing
be ground hunted, trapped or shot depends on the herd’s location,
from helicopters for post-mortem management and TB history.
examination. In some areas, a Judas To check the testing frequency for
Pig operation may be used: a wild pig, your property visit ospri.co.nz/dcamap
TBfree is an OSPRI programme ospri.co.nz 0800 482 463
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