PF 2050 Future of possum trapping
The fourth instalment of our "Story so far" series, features Predator Free 2050 Limited's Science Director Professor Dan Tompkins.
Dan talks about the different tools and breakthrough science that we fund, to help Aotearoa reach the predator-free goal faster.
Molesworth - The site for new possum-trapping devices
T220 traps have been modified by ASG Technologies to enable remote data on wildlife activity. This is possible using a LoRa gateway satellite device which monitors possums with artificial intelligence (AI) cameras. Our Upper South Island Field Services Manager, Josh King says the technology is an exciting development for possum control and surveillance in remote areas like Molesworth. 'While it is gnarly country, vast, with challenging climate extremes, these remotely monitored traps may enable us to support traditionally labour-intensive and costly methods. 'We worked closely with ASG on mapping out where we could set up the remote gateway devices. This involved erecting antennas and solar panels on exposed ridges. They were secured with heavy gear to withstand extreme gales and...
Building a Better Possum/Rat Trap
Blog by Brett Butland – Landscape Director, Predator Free 2050 Limited. It’s always a pleasure to see the companies we support grow and flourish, and in July I had the privilege of visiting NZ Autotraps in Whakatāne to celebrate the launch of their new factory.
The two-in-one predator trap
Kevin Bain, the technical manager for NZ AutoTraps talks about his trap with an award-winning mechanism which captures and kills both rats and possums. The trap is being taken up by DoC and local councils.
Hear the interview on RNZ's website by clicking here.
New Trap Trials for the Halo Project
Predator Free Dunedin and the Halo Project are trialing an innovative new trap to create a permanent control network for possums.
Pesky Possum
Ben Stubbs killed 800 possums in his QE2 block just after Christmas. He earnt more for the fur from those animals than he did from his wool cheque off 2000 ewes. He says it makes you view road kill differently - would you drive past a $5 note on the road, probably not.
Hear the interview on the RNZ website here.
Possums Okay in a Toyota Ad But Not in a Wetland
During project site visits, RiverCare’s operations manager noticed increasing possum damage to several established native trees on two projects that are in the pre-planting stage of development. He’s seen this before when restoration activity changes habitat and limits feeding options—possums quickly move to feeding on new vegetation types. If their numbers are high, it doesn’t take long before grazing damage and broken branches can be seen within the canopy of their new favourite tree.
To control pest animals on projects, RiverCare has used Timms Traps and the Doc 200 or 250. All three are kill traps which require resetting once triggered by a predator.
Read the full article on the Waikato River Care website here.
Automatic pest trap proves a winner at Fieldays
It was 2014 and Hamilton industrial electrician Kevin Bain was out tramping in the bush, something he enjoyed regularly.
At the side of the track was a pest trap. "I poked my head in and noticed there was no bait. The trap had been triggered but there was nothing in it."
Read the Full article on the NZ Herald Website here.