No 1080 presence in rats washed up on West Coast beach
Toxicology testing of dead rats washed up on a West Coast shows no presence of 1080, the Department of Conservation (DOC) says.
Locals and DOC staff picked up almost 700 rats as well as dead Westland petrels, weka, octopus, starfish, a goat, crabs, crayfish and skate fish after they washed up on Westport's North Beach on November.
DOC initially presumed the rats died from a recent aerial 1080 drop near the Lewis Pass and washed down rivers with the help of the more than 500 millimetres of rain that had fallen in the region.
"We don't know the source of the dead rats but it's possible they came from beech forest areas closer to Westport in the Buller Gorge, affected by flood conditions," DOC West Coast operations director Mark Davies says.
The tiger who came to tea
Trays are such a useful item to have in the home – they are obviously great for serving food and drinks, particularly breakfast in bed! Find out how to create your own with Resene wallpaper and Resene Colorwood wood stain with these easy step by step instructions.
It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!
Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.