Snail death belittles transfer plan
Save Happy Valley Coalition : 8th September 2006
The Save Happy Valley Coalition is appalled by the first death of a captive Powelliphanta "Augustus" snail – living in a fridge because of state-owned coal company Solid Energy's mining operations.
"The snails have started to die in captivity. This was expected, given the rate at which Solid Energy have been taking this species from their habitat, given that they are still in domestic fridges in Hokitika, and given that there are no proper captivity facilities in sight," said Frances Mountier, spokesperson for the Save Happy Valley Coalition.
"Department of Conservation scientists said that the only way to ensure the survival of the species was to leave it on its last remaining 5ha of habitat, not moldering in a fridge. Second generation snails have consistently died in captivity – in fact there is no evidence they can live anywhere apart from their current habitat.
"This is species extinction and this is the Government's fault. This snail is only the beginning; Solid Energy is applying for permits to kill kiwi and a different species of snail within the Stockton Mine. Where is the public consultation on this? Why aren't New Zealanders being asked if killing our ancient giant snails and kiwi – our national icon – is something a government-owned company should do?
"The government has decided that Solid Energy be allowed to continue its coal mining, no matter what the cost. This drive for 'progress' and 'economic growth' is destroying the very things that people value most about this country."
ENDS
Notes
1. DOC has identified half a hectare of land that they thought snails might be able to live on, although there is no certainty that it is suitable habitat. Solid Energy has maintained that there is up to 9 ha of habitat but DOC does not believe the snails will survive there. DOC estimates that the 0.5 ha site will hold 85 snails.
2. The Wildlife Permit granted by the Minister of Conservation in April 2006 which permits Solid Energy to 'Hunt Kill and Possess' Powelliphanta "Augustus" is currently in question in the High Court, and Solid Energy's right to mine without appropriate resource consent is under question in the Environment Court.
3. The protocols developed under the Wildlife Permit only allowed Solid Energy to search 5% of the habitat in the winter months – yet they have collected approx 400 snails out of a total population of 500.
4. The Permit covers 94% of the snails' habitat. The remaining 6% is on DOC land – but that is to be subjected to rockfall events of up to 270 tonnes per event.
5. On 2nd August, Solid Energy applied for Wildlife Permits to 'Hunt, Kill and Possess' great spotted kiwi and Powelliphanta patrickensis elsewhere in the Stockton Coal Mining Licence.
6. The Save Happy Valley Coalition is a collection of groups and individuals from around Aotearoa committed to stopping Solid Energy's proposed open cast coal mine in Happy Valley (Upper Waimangaroa Valley) on the West Coast. They work to raise awareness on climate change in New Zealand. They are also deeply concerned about the fate of all endangered species under threat from Solid Energy – such as the Powelliphanta snail at the nearby Mt Augustus. The Coalition is made up of West Coast locals, students, workers and the general public. The group has a track record of creative protests, occupations and lock-ons as well as producing a variety of informative media. More information about the coalition and its history can be found at http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/aboutus.htm
Media contacts:
Frances Mountier, Coalition spokesperson: 021 175 7484
Photos
Photographs of the snail and of the Mt Augustus ridgeline are available.
