Predator Control Network
New Zealand is an island land mass and has very few endemic land mammals.
As a result, much of our wildlife has evolved to nest near the ground, making them vunerable to predation from animals that have been introduced by people since New Zealand’s discovery.
Predator Free 2050 is an ambitious national goal to protect native species from, and eventually eliminate, the “triple threat” of possums, rats, and stoats. These predators are targeted for their swift and broadly negative impact on native birds, insects and forest canopies.
The success of the Picton Dawn Chorus mission to bring birdsong back, is reliant on the use of trapping to reduce the prevalence of predators within the Waitohi Picton area. Trapping reduces predator numbers and in turn reduces predation on nests, damage to habitat – increasing the success of breeding to boost native bird numbers.
THE HALO
Kaipūpū Sanctuary’s predator free status is supported and maintained by our predator control network, in four quadrants of the surrounding area, targeting: Victoria Domain, The Wedge, urban Picton, and Waikawa. The project acts as a “halo” or buffer zone, ensuring that native birds, which travel between Kaipūpū Sanctuary and the surrounding hills, are protected, reducing predator re-invasion.
Volunteers carry out tasks within those areas ranging from trapping, education, working bees, restorative planting, and maintenance.
To date we have a network of 75 traplines with over 3,000 traps in place.
TRAPLINES IN RESERVES AND PARKS
We currently have 25 trap lines and over 1014 traps in parks and reserves around Picton which are serviced by our wonderful volunteers.
The traplines across Victoria Domain, The Wedge and Kaipūpū are checked mostly by volunteers on a weekly roster with the more difficult tracks being tended to by our experienced bush trapping team. In Picton/Waikawa township, one in four residents have traps in their gardens.
TRAPPING AT HOME
Protect birdlife and your property by setting a trap in your garden.
We sell a variety of traps at our shop located in Picton and offer information and guidance on how you can join the movement by cracking down on pests in your own back yard.