ANIMAL CONTROL IN ARTHUR’S PASS PARK

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 15

ANIMAL CONTROL IN ARTHUR’S PASS PARK

Concern at the extent of opossum damage to the forests in the Taramakau Valley is expressed in the annual report of tjie Arthur's Pass National Park Board which was adopted at a meeting of the board yesterday. “As the combined effect of opossum and deer could have serious effects on the natural vegetation ranging staff aife assisting the New Zealand Forest Service to control the deer population in this locality,” the report said. The replacement of palatable vegetation tuch as fivefinger, broadleaf and kantahi by pepper trees, fern and hard foliaged plants, was already evident. f The senior ranger (Mr-P.

Croft) said in his report to the board that two rangers in the Deception river area shot 105 deer and 72 chamois in 28 days. “This could well become a regular feature of staff operations as a means of active park protection,” said Mr Croft. “The benefits to the park in animals destroyed and to the ranging staff in knowledge of animal habits, bird populations, forest conditions and topographical composition can only be gained by living in and traversing a block of country several times.

“Six permits to trap opossums were issued for the year. In the western part of the park. 8949 animals were accounted for and 548 were destroyed in the Poulter river area by private operators. “The lifting of the bounty will give a build-up to the present population in the park with consequent damage to the vegetation,” he said. “One answer to the problem is to have ranging staff poisoning and trapping during the winter months which could be worked in with other jobs in the area.” There was no problem with rabbits during the year, but a few were reported in the Jordan area. The population of hares, however, continued to increase, he said. They were to be seen at all altitudes up to 6000 ft and the area in the Lower Poulter river had a large population. Stoats had not been seen in large numbers, although opossum trappers in Otira destroyed 18. Private shooters in the park killed 231 deer and 99 chamois. Ranging staff, in spare time operations, accounted for 32 deer, 34 chamois. 216 opossums, 12 hares, seven cats, one ferret and stoats. “Shooting is one of the popular attractions of the park, and during the year 315 permits were issued to 720 persons, 90 per cent, of them being week-end permits,” said Mr Croft.

All-Day Protest Clutching placards inscribed "Be active today, not radio-active tomorrow.” and “Ban the French H-bomb tests." a small group of university and Teachers' College s’udents Jtept an all-day vigil yesterday outside the Government Life Insurance building ■ in Wellington, where the French Embassy is located. The demonstration was in protest against the recent French H-bomb tests in the Sahara Desert, and was organised by the World Affairs Council of Victoria University.—(PA.)