A ground-based possum-control operation using traps and cyanide poison in bait bags is being carried out on 11,000ha in the Herbert and Maheno areas over the next month or more.
The operation is being conducted for TBfree New Zealand by Otematata-based contractors Bushworks South Island and covers land around Maheno and Herbert villages and in the Kakanui and north Waianakarua catchments.
People were warned not to touch traps or the blue bait bags, and keep pets under supervision and away from possum carcasses.
Contractor Richard Scadden said yesterday the operation had already started and was expected to last about four weeks, depending on its success and the weather.
Teams would lay out leg-hold traps and, depending on how successful that was, green cyanide capsules in peanut paste inside blue bait bags would be fastened to fences or trees.
No traps or poison would be used within about 400m of houses and warning signs had been erected at the entrances to properties.
Anyone who wanted more detail on the operation or area could contact him through his company, Mr Scadden said.
