Ulva Island, near Rakiura/Stewart Island, is home to vulnerable native species like tieke/South Island saddleback, mohua/yellowhead, titipounamu/rifleman, and South Island kākā. It was first declared pest-free in 1996 but its proximity to Rakiura – just 780 m at the closest point – means it's vulnerable to reinvasion. DOC Rakiura Operations Manager Alex Macleod says Ulva Island is protected by a dense network of traps, which typically hold the line against rats that have made the swim. However, large forest fruiting and seeding events on Rakiura in 2021 and 2022 caused rat numbers to spike and increased invasion pressure.

https://www.miragenews.com/bid-to-regain-pest-free-island-for-nature-1053792/

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