Yesterday I was on the second storey of a building that is closely surrounded by trees. Looking out the window, I was amazed to see a rat scampering around in the branches. The rat was flanked by a couple of very distressed fantails who were trying to protect their nest.
The sight of this large rat was disturbing to me. Most other rats I've ever seen have been either caught in a trap or brought in by the cat. This is the first time I have ever seen one running around in the trees doing what they do best - hunting for a breakfast of birds' eggs.
The speed and ease with which it scampered along the branches was amazing. This is an animal which is so well adapted to the forest environment that it has literally taken over. Rats like this one, the ship rat, are responsible for massive destruction of our native birdlife in New Zealand.
As I watched the poor fantails fluttering desparately around the rat I felt helpless to assist. My only comfort came from knowing that the work I do with the Kaharoa Kokako Trust protects our birds from these ruthlessly efficient predators.
New Zealand birds evolved over millions of years in an environment where mammalian predators like rats and possums did not exist. Our native birds, even the ones who can fly, have no defences against these recent invaders.
This is the very reason why we need toxins like 1080. It is difficult to control rats in any other way. And control them we must, if our native birds are to survive.
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