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Threats & impacts

Animal pests

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Animal pests
- Methods of control

1080 questions and answers

What is 1080?

Sodium monofluoroacetate, or 1080, is a chemical reproduction of a naturally-occurring, biodegradable toxin that plants use to discourage browsing animals. It is found in Australian, South American and South African plants. Low concentrations are also found naturally in tea.

Huttons shearwater killed by stoat

Why does DOC use 1080?

New Zealand's native wildlife faces a continual battle for survival. Landcare Research scientists estimate over 25 million native birds are killed each year by imported predators such as stoats, rats, cats and possums.

The reason our wildlife is so vulnerable is because we have no native terrestrial mammals in New Zealand except for two species of bat. Many of the animals with four legs, fur and sharp teeth have almost destroyed our native wildlife. For example:

Tuatara disappeared from mainland New Zealand after the introduction of kiore or Polynesian rat by early Māori,
Kākāpō have been relegated to a tiny population on an isolated southern island, due to cats, rats and stoats.
The little spotted kiwi, one of our national icons, was wiped off the mainland, as even adult kiwi are easy prey for stoats and other predators.

New Zealand is well placed to use 1080 for conservation of indigenous wildlife because originally New Zealand was a land of birds and there were no large terrestrial mammals.

Using appropriate screening techniques and specific formulations, conservationists are able to specifically target pest mammals with minimal impact on our native wildlife. Constant monitoring has shown that the benefits of the use of 1080 for mammalian pest control far outweigh the risks to native wildlife.

1080 is one of the tools DOC uses to manage pests and predators in order to protect our vulnerable native wildlife.

Using 1080 to control pests and predators works. Without protection nine out of 10 North Island brown kiwi chicks born in the wild will not survive to six months old. In Tongariro Forest Park, the summer after an aerial 1080 operation, chick survival rose to almost 70%.

Where does DOC use 1080?

DOC does around 560,000 ha of pest control annually. Most of this is ground based (trapping and poisoning). 150,000 ha is aerial 1080, used in challenging country where the other options are not cost effective. DOC's aerial 1080 operations cover less than two per cent of public conservation land.

When correctly applied, 1080 is very effective. One aerial application can kill 98% of possums and more than 90% of rats in the targeted area. These successful knock-down rates provide vulnerable native birds with a crucial breeding window to raise chicks through to fledging, increasing their survival rate.

What about alternatives to 1080?

DOC invests significantly in alternative pest control methods. Alternatives must be cost effective, have comprehensive coverage, be humane and pose little risk to human health. There are at least 30 research projects underway industry-wide to find improvements in the use of 1080, alternatives to 1080 and other related topics.

At least $8 million is spent annually in New Zealand on alternative pest control solutions.

How does 1080 help bird populations?

A possum and a rat prey on chicks in
their nest

These are some bird population success stories following the use of 1080 operations:

Over 200 kiwi have been monitored after 1080 operations throughout the country - none of which have been affected by 1080. In areas without pest control, 95% of North Island brown kiwi chicks don't survive to six months of age.
In Tongariro Forest Park, kiwi chick survival increased almost four-fold immediately after an aerial 1080 operation. Fantail nesting success increased from 16% in the season before the operation to 42% the season after.
47 kōkako have been monitored during and after 1080 operations - all have survived. This is particularly encouraging since rats and possums are major predators of kōkako nests.
Falcon numbers at Kaiangaroa Forest increased from 20 to 36 pairs following aerial and ground 1080 control.
Kererū counts increased from 29 to 142 at Kaitoke Regional Park near Wellington following a number of aerial 1080 operations in the area.

Will there be any adverse effects on the environment?

There are stringent requirements around the use of 1080. Local health authority approval is needed before every aerial 1080 operation and waterways must be closely monitored. Landcare Research has reviewed more than 2000 water samples taken after 1080 operations since 1990. Tests from reticulated water supplies show Ministry of Health drinking water standards of two parts of 1080 per billion parts of water have never been breached. A 60 kg human would need to drink about 60,000 litres of water containing two parts of 1080 per billion in one sitting to consume a fatal dose.

When carefully used, 1080 poses no significant risk to human health. DOC follows strict safety guidelines to ensure the safety of the public and staff. Tests have shown no adverse impact on staff working in close contact with 1080 and there have been no recorded deaths in New Zealand from accidental 1080 poisoning since DOC started in 1987.

During aerial 1080 operations, a 50 metre buffer is not enforced around all waterways. These buffers vary between operations and are dependent on conditions in the local Medical Officer of Health's consent and the relevant regional council's requirements (such as resource consent conditions) for the operation.

Compared with other toxins, biodegradable1080 has proven to be effective, cheap and safe. It is also the least environmentally harmful or persistent toxin available, and remains the most effective option registered for aerial use on mainland New Zealand.

How is public safety ensured?

DOC must meet strict Ministry of Health conditions before permits are issued for any pest control operations using toxins. In addition, the Department has its own stringent standard operating procedures. Measures to ensure public awareness, involvement and safety include community consultation processes, public notification through the media and warning signs.

Possum damage on kamahi.
Possum damage on kamahi

1080 is a controlled substance under the Pesticides Act and can only be applied by licensed operators. Regional and unitary councils along with local authorities often also require a resource consent or certificate of compliance for aerial operations.

What are the risks to pets and livestock?

Some animals are more susceptible to 1080 poison than others. Dogs are 10 times more vulnerable to 1080 than possums and other pests, and are readily killed by 1080. Dogs must be kept away from areas treated with 1080.

1080 is also toxic to livestock, so farmers must keep animals away from control areas. 1080 is eliminated from the tissue of animals that consume a non-lethal quantity and there are no lasting effects.

Is 1080 used in other countries?

Because New Zealand has no native terrestrial mammals except for two species of bat, we are well placed to use a toxin that targets mammals. Other countries which have native mammals that they want to protect use 1080 differently to New Zealand. It is used in Australia to control foxes, as well as a rodenticide in Mexico, Japan and Israel. The United States has limited use of 1080 because of its effects on large native mammals - but it is used to reduce coyote attacks on sheep.