DOC controls them in two ways - firstly by controlling rodent numbers, secondly by directly controlling mustelids.
The rodents - a spike in mice/rat populations causes a spike in mustelid populations. Then when they run out of rodents to eat in the forest, they go for the birds. And our native trees (the Nothofagus beech trees) often "mast" - that is, all the trees drop their seed all at once, which is a major food source for rodents. So a mast year will always lead to a massive spike in mice and rats, which then leads to a massive spike in stoats and weasels.
As for mustelid control - it's primarily done via trapping (although there can be significant mustelid bykill from large poisoning operations targeting rodents or possums). DOC has a standard trap that works well when baited with an egg - but trapping is very manpower intensive and DOC is not very well funded.
DOC controls them in two ways - firstly by controlling rodent numbers, secondly by directly controlling mustelids.
The rodents - a spike in mice/rat populations causes a spike in mustelid populations. Then when they run out of rodents to eat in the forest, they go for the birds. And our native trees (the Nothofagus beech trees) often "mast" - that is, all the trees drop their seed all at once, which is a major food source for rodents. So a mast year will always lead to a massive spike in mice and rats, which then leads to a massive spike in stoats and weasels.
As for mustelid control - it's primarily done via trapping (although there can be significant mustelid bykill from large poisoning operations targeting rodents or possums). DOC has a standard trap that works well when baited with an egg - but trapping is very manpower intensive and DOC is not very well funded.