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   Mustela erminea (mammal)     
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         Management Information

    Preventative measures: Risk Assessment models for assessing the risk that exotic vertebrates could establish in Australia have been further explored by the Western Australia Department of Agriculture & Food (DAFWA) to confirm that they reasonably predict public safety, establishment and pest risks across a full range of exotic species and risk levels.
    The Risk assessment for the Stoat (Mustela erminea), has been assigned a VPC Threat Category of EXTREME.
    Mammals and birds were assessed for the pest risk they pose if introduced to Australia, by calculating Vertebrate Pests Committee (VPC) Threat Categories. These categories incorporate risk of establishing populations in the wild, risk of causing public harm, and risk of becoming a pest (eg causing agricultural damage, competing with native fauna, etc). The 7-factor Australian Bird and Mammal Model was used for these assessments.

    Trapping is widely used to remove stoats (M. erminea) from game estates in UK and conservation reserves in New Zealand. Trapping is effective when very intense, but is rapidly countered by immigration (McDonald & Harris 2002). Leg-hold traps are still legal for the moment, but likely to be banned in the forseeable future; the first humane trap, the "Fenn", developed in UK in the 1950s, was better but does not meet current standards. New, more humane traps, are being developed. There are no poisons currently registered for use against stoats, but they are often killed by secondary poisoning after operations targetting possums and rats.

    Please follow this link to read more on the management of stoats compiled by the ISSG.    



         Location Specific Management Information
    Anchor Is. (Fiordland National Park)
    Anchor island has been predator free since 2001 after a successful eradication programme of introduced mammal predators (stoat in 2001/2002 and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in 2006). It is now part of the Department of Conservation's (DOC’s) Fiordland island restoration and stoat control research programme, please see Fiordland National Park Management Plan June 2007. A trapping programme established to prevent them re-colonising.

    The Department of Conservation recently relocated 24 South Island wren/rock wrens/piwauwau (see Xenicus gilviventris in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) from the Murchison Mountains to Anchor island, as part of programme to ensure survival of rock wren populations. This first ever attempt at transferring rock wrens has so far shown the positive results.
    The island is also now an important management site for the critically endangered kakapo (see Strigops habroptilus in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) with a total population of 86 kakapo.

    During April 2007, DOC was alerted by a member of the public of a stoat sighting on the shoreline of Anchor. A response action was set in motion: 10 female kakapo were translocated to another island refuge, traps were re-checked and re-baited; and a dog trained to follow stoat scent deployed. (DOC 2007; Crouchley et al. 2007).

    Egmont National Park (North Island)
    The Department of Conservation (DOC), together with the Taranaki Kiwi Trust and the Central North Island Blue Duck Charitable Trust has launched a trapping programme against predatory stoats during Jan, 2004: the trapping programme will be split into two stages, with phase one establishing a network of traps over 4000 hectares. Phase two will involve placing traps in an additional 8000ha of park within the next five years (Environment Story, 7th Jan 2004).
    Fiordland National Park
    Part Four of the Fiordland National Park Management Plan-June 2007 is concerned with the management, including maintenance, of the park’s landscapes, ecosystems, habitats and species and historic sites.

    The decline in populations of indigenous birds especially ground-nesting birds on Fiordland National Park has been attributed to predation by rats and stoats. Rats and stoats are found widely distributed all over the park (except on some islands). Stoat control over the total extent of the Park is not feasible. Stoat control using methods like trapping are undertaken in conjunction with species and habitat conservation activities. Stoat control projects have been undertaken in the Eglinton Valley to protect möhua (see Mohoua ochrocephala in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and käkä (see Nestor meridionalis in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), in Clinton Valley to protect the whio (see Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and kiwi Apteryx spp. (see Apteryx australis; Apteryx haastii; Apteryx mantelli in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and in Iris Burn to protect the möhua. Stoat and deer control is one of the major components of the comprehensive national recovery plan developed for takahë (see Porphyrio hochstetteri in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) in Fiordland National Park. Eradication of stoats has been achieved on Chalky Island / Te Kakahu and Anchor Island and is under way on Secretary and Coal Islands.
    Conservation efforts planned that include stoat control are a) management and control of stoats in the Takahë Special Area (Murchison Mts) in accordance with the Takahë Recovery Programme; b) eradiction of mustelids wherever practicable; c) Continuation of the current focus of stoat control and research in the Eglinton Valley, Murchison Mts, islands in Dusky Sound and Doubtful Sound / Patea and the Clinton/Arthur catchments.
    Priority places selected for future stoat control and research programmes include: a) Resolution Island; b) Other islands along the Fiordland coastline, c) Further catchments around the Clinton/Arthur Rivers such as the Neale Burn; and the Worsley and Glaisnock catchments; d) If necessary, the further expansion of control work in the Murchison Mountains; and e) Grebe and Borland valleys. (DOC 2007).

    Nelson
    Stoats (Mustela erminea), weasels (M. nivalis vulgaris) and ferrets (Mustela furo) are designated as 'Regional surveillance pest' by the the Tasman-Nelson Regional Pest Management Strategy. The strategy has its effect over the combined area that lies within the administrative boundaries of the Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council. The objective of the strategy is to promote the control of ferrets, stoats and weasels and improve the public understanding of their impact. TDC (2001) states "the most effective and efficient management option is to promote the voluntary control of ferrets, stoats and weasels. Assistance to land occupiers will include instruction in the field on control techniques". Please see Hierarchy of Plant Designations for an explanation of designation terminology.
    New Zealand
    Stoat predation and control is a subject of massive research and management in New Zealand especially in key areas for threatened native birds (Murphy and Fechney 2003). Attempts at controlling stoats along with introduced rats (Rattus rattus) and possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) have been carried out.
    Tasman District
    Stoats (Mustela erminea), weasels (M. nivalis vulgaris) and ferrets (Mustela furo) are designated as 'Regional surveillance pest' by the the Tasman-Nelson Regional Pest Management Strategy. The strategy has its effect over the combined area that lies within the administrative boundaries of the Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council. The objective of the strategy is to promote the control of ferrets, stoats and weasels and improve the public understanding of their impact. TDC (2001) states "the most effective and efficient management option is to promote the voluntary control of ferrets, stoats and weasels. Assistance to land occupiers will include instruction in the field on control techniques". Please see Hierarchy of Plant Designations for an explanation of designation terminology.
    Te Kakahu (Chalky Is.) (Fiordland National Park)
    The Department Of Conservation completed a stoat eradication project in 1999. Since then the predator free island has been suitable as a long-term sanctuary for the critically endangered kakapo (see Strigops habroptila in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). The first kakapo were tranfered there in 2002.
    Te Kakahu (Chalky Island) is within swimming distance of the mainland for stoats. The Department of Conservation (DOC) maintain a network of stoat traps on the island and two adjoining islands, and constantly monitor the islands for stoat activity. (DOC 2007)
    Wenderholm Regional Park
    In February 1999, a permanent perimeter and central lines of Fenn traps were installed on the headland. Between February 1999 and February 2001, 14 stoats were caught.

         Management Resources/Links

    2. Basse, B.; McLennan, J. A.; Wake, G. C. 1999: Analysis of the impact of stoats, Mustela erminea, on northern brown kiwi, Apteryx mantelli, in New Zealand. Wildlife Research 26: 227-237.
            Summary: Impacts of stoats on Kiwi in New Zealand.
    4. Christie, J.E., D.J. Brown, I. Westbrooke and E.C. Murphy., 2009. Environmental predictors of stoat (Mustela erminea) and ship rat (Rattus rattus) capture success. DOC Research & Development Series 305. Published by Publishing Team Department of Conservation PO Box 10420, The Terrace Wellington 6143, New Zealand
            Summary: Abstract: The association between capture success of stoats (Mustela erminea) and ship rats (Rattus rattus) and landscape-scale environmental predictors was explored using trapping data from three stoat control areas located in podocarp/broadleaved forest in New Zealand. Stoat capture success was higher at trap sites where a rat was also captured at the same trap or a stoat was captured at a neighbouring trap. Drier trap sites with good soil drainage and increased proximity to the operational trapping boundary were also associated with increased stoat capture. Rat capture success was higher at trap sites where a rat had been captured at a neighbouring trap, and at trap sites that were on steeper ground, more easterly facing and within forest habitat. Trap sites with generally poor soil conditions, i.e. sites with lower soil calcium levels and wetter sites with poor drainage, and increasing distance from the forest edge were also associated with increased rat capture. There were highly variable relationships between rat and stoat capture and landscape-scale environmental predictors between the three stoat control areas. This could be due to differing topography, but also to the highly correlated nature of many of the topographic, climate and habitat predictors. Further research specifically designed to separate these effects should focus on the variables identified as common between all stoat control areas in this study. Additional investigations of whether rats captured in double trap sets act as additional bait for stoats would have practical benefits for stoat control areas. The variability of the results emphasises the importance of ensuring that traps are abundant and widespread in stoat control operations.
    7. Crouchley, D. 1994: Stoat control on Maud Island 1982-1993. Ecological Management 2: 39-45.
            Summary: Management and control of stoats in New Zealand.
    11. Dowding, J. E.; Murphy, E. C. 2001: The impact of predation by introduced mammals on endemic shorebirds in New Zealand: a conservation perspective. Biological Conservation 99: 47-64
            Summary: Impacts of stoats on New Zealand forest birds.
    13. Elliott, G. P. 1996: Productivity and mortality of mohua (Mohoua ochrocephala). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 23: 229-237.
            Summary: Impacts of stoat predation on New Zealand forest birds.
    14. Environment Story, 7th Jan 2004. Massive stoat trapping operation planned for Egmont. Stuff National News.
            Summary: Environment Story.
    16. Gillies, C. and Williams, D. Undated. Using tracking tunnels to monitor rodents and mustelids.
            Summary: This paper gives detailed information about how to use tracking tunnels.
    20. King, C. M. 1984: Immigrant killers: introduced predators and the conservation of birds in New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand, Oxford University Press.
            Summary: A summary of literature available on introduced predators up to 1983. Historical descriptions still useful; management chapter shows how much has changed in 20 years
    22. King, C.M., O'Donnell, C.F.J. and Phillipson, S.M. 1994. Monitoring and Control of Mustelids on Conservation Lands: Part 2: Field and Workshop Guide, Department of Conservation Technical Series No. 3. Department of Conservation: Wellington
    23. King, C.M.. 1983. Mustela erminea . Mammalian Species, No. 195, pp. 1-8.
            Summary: In depth information about stoats mainly focussing on native range
    25. Littin, K.E. and Mellor, D.J. 2005. Strategic Animal Welfare Issues: Ethical and Animal Welfare Issues Arising From the Killing of Wildlife for Disease Control and Environmental Reasons, Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz. 24 (2): 767-782.
            Summary: Available from: https://www.oie.int/eng/publicat/rt/2402/PDF/littin767-782.pdf [Accessed 20 March 2007]
    28. McDonald, R. A. and Harris, S. 2002. Population Biology of Stoats Mustela erminea and Weasels Mustela nivalis on Game Estates in Great Britain, Journal of Applied Ecology 39: 793-805.
    30. McLennan, J. A.; Potter, M. A.; Robertson, H. A.; Wake, G. C.; Colbourne, R.; Dew, L.; Joyce, L.; McCann, A. J.; Miles, J.; Miller, P. J.; Reid, J. 1996: Role of predation in the decline of kiwi, Apteryx spp., in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 20: 27-35)
            Summary: Impacts of stoat predation on kiwi.
    31. Moorhouse, R.; Greene, T.; Dilks, P. J.; Powlesland, R. G.; Moran, L.; Taylor, G.; Jones, A.; Knegtmans, J. W.; Wills, D.; Pryde, M.; Fraser, I.; August, A.; August, C. 2003: Control of introduced mammalian predators improved kaka Nestor meridionalis breeding success: reversing the decline of a threatened New Zealand parrot. Biological Conservation 110: 33-44.
            Summary: Control and management of stoats in New Zealand.
    32. Murphy, E. C.; Fechney, L. 2003: What's happening with stoat research? Fifth report on the five year stoat-research programme. Wellington, Department of Conservation. pp.
            Summary: Status of and issues with stoat predation research in New Zealand.
    34. O'Donnell, C. F. J. 1996: Predators and the decline of New Zealand forest birds: an introduction to the hole-nesting bird and predator programme. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 23: 213-219.
            Summary: Impacts of stoats on New Zealand forest birds.
    35. Page, Amanda; Win Kirkpatrick and Marion Massam, July 2008, Stoat (Mustela erminea) risk assessment for Australia. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.
            Summary: Models for assessing the risk that exotic vertebrates could establish in Australia have been developed for mammals, birds (Bomford 2003; Bomford 2006, 2008), reptiles and amphibians (Bomford 2006, 2008; Bomford et al. 2005). These Risk Assessment models have been further explored by Western Australia Department of Agriculture & Food (DAFWA) to confirm that they reasonably predict public safety, establishment and pest risks across a full range of exotic species and risk levels. Mammals and birds were assessed for the pest risk they pose if introduced to Australia, by calculating Vertebrate Pests Committee (VPC) Threat Categories. These categories incorporate risk of establishing populations in the wild, risk of causing public harm, and risk of becoming a pest (eg causing agricultural damage, competing with native fauna, etc). The 7-factor Australian Bird and Mammal Model was used for these assessments.
    40. Tasman District Council (TDC) 2001. Tasman-Nelson Regional Pest Management Strategy
    41. Van Wijngaarden, A.; Mðrzer Bruijns, M. F. 1961: The ermine Mustela erminea L., on the island of Terschelling. Lutra 3: 35-42.
            Summary: Notes on introduction of stoats to the island of Terschelling.
    43. Warburton, B. and O’Connor, C. 2004. Research on Vertebrate Pesticides and Traps: Do Wild Animals Benefit? In: Research on Animals for Animal Benefit, Fourth World Congress, ATLA (Alternatives to Laboratory Animals) 32 (Supplement 1): 229–234

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