29 Mar 2018

DOC to investigate stoat on Motuihe Island

7:30 pm on 29 March 2018

A possible sighting of a stoat on a pest-free island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf is being investigated by the Department of Conservation.

A stoat in a field

A stoat (file photo). Photo: 123RF

DOC said a member of the public alerted them to the possible sighting on Motuihe Island.

All the traps on the island were baited with a combination of fresh rabbit meat and eggs.

The sighting comes just two weeks after, a stoat was trapped and killed on nearby Motutapu Island.

DOC said that it had found no evidence of any more stoats on Motutapu Island or Rangitoto since the dead stoat was found.