Awaiting issue of statutory approvals
Region: Marlborough District, South Island
Area: ~2,027 hectares
Client: TBfree – an OSPRI programme
Reason for the Operation: Targeting possums for bovine TB control.
Planned commencement date: Prefeed application to commence from 1 May 2026, subject to suitable weather conditions.
Control methodology: The operation will begin with the application of non-toxic prefeed bait by helicopter. One to two weeks later, toxic baits, each containing 0.15% sodium fluoroacetate (also known as 1080), will be applied by helicopter at a rate of 1kg per hectare. Prefeed and toxic bait will contain deer repellent, to deter non-target consumption.
Download fact sheet: Molesworth-Severn TB possum control
Download map: Proposed boundary for aerial 1080 control (subject to consultation)