Other articles written by Andrew James

A man checking a bait station, in a backyard, with

A day in the life: Predator Free Wellington

Predator Free Wellington’s field staff are methodically clearing the capital city of rats. Curious about their day-to-day grind, Andrew James joins them.
A before and after of a trap, after showing it cleaned up

Keep going: five more things to do if your trap isn’t catching rats

Tried some of our troubleshooting tips but still struggle to catch predators? It doesn’t mean there aren’t any left. Here are five *more* things you can do.
An albatross chick

Laundry baskets and dummy eggs: caring for albatross

With 33 chicks fledging, 2024 is a record equalling breeding season for northern royal albatross at Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsula.
Bittern hiding in the reeds

Booming swamp ninjas: five facts about the elusive Australasian bittern

You might not know of matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern) – with fewer than 1,000 living in New Zealand, they’re rarer than whio or hoiho.
Collage of postcards from birds in the winder

Tropical getaways and getting cosy: what does wildlife do in winter?

From looking for love to international adventures, here are five fascinating ways New Zealand wildlife spend their winter months.
Comic: Smelly predator science

Comic: Smelly predator science

Possum butts smell garlicy. Research suggests that predator-emitted volatile organic compounds could be used for predator monitoring.
Cartoon drawing of milk bottles, bait stations, bungee cords, timber, tape, rope and bamboo.

Number 8 wire: 5 low-tech predator control innovations

Move over MacGyver. Homegrown Kiwi innovation is doing so much for predator control, and it’s not just the big players with fancy products. 
A german wasp.

Buzz off: 7 facts about wasps

When you think of “introduced predators”, what comes to mind? Probably feral cats, rats and stoats. Wasps are introduced predators too.
Comic: the predator free difference for lizards

Comic: the predator free difference for lizards

Comic from illustrator Andrew James, explains the difference predator control makes for geckos and skinks inside a sanctuary.

National map

Click our map to discover the extent of predator control being undertaken throughout the country.

Click our map to discover the extent of predator control being undertaken throughout the country.

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