Top predator thrives in poison operation area

By Craig Borley of the New Zealand HeraldFears that poisoning of predators would affect our native owl appear to be unfounded.

Controversial poisoning programmes to control predators are having a remarkable effect on New Zealand's native owl, the morepork, an Auckland University researcher has discovered.

Concerns the poisoned predators, including rats and mice, would be eaten by morepork, poisoning the owls in the process, appeared to be unfounded, says researcher and ecology student Elisabeth Fraser, 22.

The owls appeared to be twice as numerous in areas where predator eradication methods using poisons were present, she said.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10495018

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