Survival of kaka following aerial poisoning with talon on Whatupuke Island

Abstract

Five kaka Nestor meridionalis were monitored by radio telemetry following aerial application of talon 20P to eradicate kiore Rattus exulans from Whatupuke Island in November 1993. There was no evidence, either direct or indirect, of kaka consuming baits. Four radio-tagged birds were relocated alive and healthy three weeks after the poison operation and all five were alive five to six months after poisoning. No reduction in kaka numbers was detected during five-minute bird counts one month after the operation compared with counts one month before the operation.