Peanut butter is the standard rat attractant – and apparently, they’re pretty keen on chocolate and Nutella too. But researchers at Victoria University of Wellington’s ‘Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology’ have come up with some chemical compounds that wild rats seem to rate even better … [Read more...] about New clues in the search for synthetic lures
Research
New Zealand Bird Atlas project launched
An ambitious 5-year project to map the birds of New Zealand across every part of New Zealand was launched at Queen’s Birthday weekend. It’s called the New Zealand Bird Atlas and organisers are hoping to involve as many New Zealanders as possible in spotting, counting and recording the birds they see … [Read more...] about New Zealand Bird Atlas project launched
Latest research from Otago University and DOC investigates rock wren and 1080
Recently there have been several research projects looking at predators in the alpine environments of the South Island. It’s a completely different ecosystem to the much-studied lowland forest systems and there’s still a lot to be learnt about the key predator threats to our alpine species and how … [Read more...] about Latest research from Otago University and DOC investigates rock wren and 1080
What do bird populations need to thrive?
The interaction between habitat restoration and predator control is a topic of great interest to us at Predator Free NZ Trust. In 2017 Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research created a series of info-graphics that looked at just that. Focusing on the Cape to City Project, they asked what do bird … [Read more...] about What do bird populations need to thrive?
PF2050 – do young people support the goal?
To achieve a predator free New Zealand by 2050 – or by any date – the majority of New Zealand will need to back that goal. Young people in particular need to want it to happen and be engaged in making it happen. After all, it’s their future, 30 years from now, that we’re talking about. Lauren … [Read more...] about PF2050 – do young people support the goal?
Nesting fantails balance predators and weather risks
Rats are bad news for nesting birds – but quantifying exactly how rat density relates to nesting success of our smallest and rarest birds is difficult for a number of reasons. They’re rare – so there’s not a lot of them to study; they are likely to live in remote locations making observation … [Read more...] about Nesting fantails balance predators and weather risks
Jamie’s thesis reveals diet preferences of alpine stoats
Back in 2017, PFNZ Trust talked to Otago Zoology student Jamie McAulay about his Masters research on the diet of stoats. Well the Masters is done and dusted and Jamie’s thesis is now available online through the University’s ‘OUR Archive’ site. So what has Jamie found out? Jamie McAulay The … [Read more...] about Jamie’s thesis reveals diet preferences of alpine stoats
Flee or freeze – lizard responses to new mammal predators investigated
Our native skinks and geckos have evolved with predators that rely on eyesight to spot them – predatory birds, other lizards and tuatara. For a lizard, having camouflage skin and standing very, very still is a great defence if something bigger is trying to see you – not so great, however, if your … [Read more...] about Flee or freeze – lizard responses to new mammal predators investigated
Moa vs Deer – are they so different?
Control possums, rodents and large introduced grazers and the forest understorey explodes with growth. It’s easy to think that this is what the original forests of Aotearoa must have looked like, before Man and other mammals arrived. But ancient Aotearoa had its own large herbivores – the various … [Read more...] about Moa vs Deer – are they so different?
Monitoring methods trialled in Whangamarino wetland
Monitoring is an essential part of measuring the success of a predator control programme, but monitoring methods used in forests may not be directly applicable to wetlands. Tracking tunnels may not work, for example, where water levels fluctuate significantly. It was an issue that faced … [Read more...] about Monitoring methods trialled in Whangamarino wetland