The Sugarloaf Islands off New Plymouth are unique. The west coast of New Zealand is lacking in offshore islands. To the south of New Plymouth, Kapiti Island near Wellington is the closest island, and to the north the nearest island is the small Gannet Rock off Raglan. One of DOC's jobs is to monitor the state of these offshore islands. They are home to many interesting plants, such as Cook's Scurvy Grass, and also to many seabirds. The islands further offshore showed a healthy environment, but one of the inshore islands showed unmistakeable signs of RATS! There were a number of dead birds, berries that showed signs of being eaten, and also rat poo! The next job will be to set up traps and poison stations for the invaders, and hopefully they can be eradicated completely.
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