Background

At present 32 (88%) of the 36 Tītī Islands surrounding Rakiura / Stewart Island are rodent-free. The tītī harvest season extends from 1^st April – 31^st May each year, however access to the islands is permitted from 15^th March to allow birders time to carry out maintenance and prepare for the harvest.  A large amount of gear, including food and personal supplies, building materials, fuel, harvest and processing supplies goes to the islands each season via private fishing vessels, charter vessels, and helicopter. Historically, biosecurity relied on the vigilance of the birders and transport operators but is not always at the forefront of the thinking of those travelling.

In 2018 Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body (RTIAB) initiated this project to help maintain the rodent-free status of Tītī Islands by using a rodent detection dog to check vessels and freight prior to departure for the Islands. This season was the 8^th season where rodent detection dog teams have undertaken predeparture biosecurity checks.

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