“East of the alps, our work will focus on places which are difficult for ground hunters to access, but where there are high numbers of tahr. “The plan recognises the need to continue managing the Himalayan tahr population to balance the need for nature to thrive with the interests of hunters. “This year’s operational plan has been designed to manage tahr in areas throughout the feral range where they remain at high densities – targeting the right tahr in the right place.” Holborow said the new plan differs from previous years in that there are some management units where no official control work will take place this year.
Holborow said a survey being undertaken would give detailed information on tahr numbers in the South Rakaia/Rangitata and the Gammack/Two Thumb management units, including the gender balance of the local tahr population. While welcoming the management plan GAC general manager Tim Gale said they were still committed to developing a long-term management programme. “We worked closely with DOC and stakeholder groups in the development of this plan and provided constructive science-based recommendations to help inform it. “We believe the more collaborative process the DOC has embarked on, has resulted in a better-balanced programme of tahr management for 2021-22.”