Kea and Deer Repellent: Insights from Recent Research

Protecting New Zealand’s native wildlife while managing introduced pest species like possums and valued game animal species like deer is a constant balancing act. A recent study published in the New Zealand Journal of Zoology offers promising insights into the use of deer repellent in 1080 operations and its implications for kea.

Please read the NZDA's current position on Poisons and Toxins if you are unfamiliar.

Key Findings of the Study

The study, conducted by researchers from the Department of Conservation and other organisations, explored whether 1080 baits containing Prodeer deer repellent posed additional risks to kea compared to standard RS5 bait.

Key findings include:

• No Significant Difference in Risk: Trials showed that kea consumed similar amounts of non-toxic Prodeer and RS5 baits.
• Deer By-Kill Reduction: Prodeer has already proven effective in significantly reducing deer by-kill without impacting the efficacy of pest control operations.
• Implications for Future Management: The study concludes that using Prodeer bait is unlikely to increase risks to kea compared to standard RS5 bait.

This research highlights that 1080 operations using Prodeer bait can continue to be a valuable tool for pest control while mitigating unintended impacts on deer populations and maintaining safety for native wildlife like kea.

Photograph: Taken on the 2024 Membership Renewal Prize Tahr Hunt.

What This Means

For hunters and conservationists alike, this study represents progress in refining the use of 1080. The findings reinforce the importance of evidence-based approaches to wildlife management and ensure kea and deer are safeguarded during 1080 operations.

For those interested in the full details of the study, the report is available to read here:

Join and Support NZDA

Find and join a branch to get involved with promoting and protecting hunting in New Zealand! Search here.

https://www.deerstalkers.org.nz/join-and-support-us/branch-finder/