Risks of pesticides to native wildlife w/ the University of Auckland’s Professor James Russell: 6th May, 2025

New research published in the New Zealand veterinary journal has found that tuatara may be at risk from rat poison. The case has raised questions about pesticide and rodenticide use in Aotearoa, and weighing the risks to native wildlife against the benefits of pest eradication. 

To discuss the poisoning and its wider ramifications for conservation in Aotearoa, Wire host Castor spoke to the University of Auckland’s Professor James Russell.