Predator Free NZ

Sanctuaries and projects

Mice numbers in the absence of mammal predators

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House mice are the smallest mammal predators to have been introduced to Aotearoa/New Zealand since humans first arrived here around 1280AD. The mice arrived on European ships by the 1820s and nowadays they are present in most habitats throughout the country. Worldwide they are among the world’s most … [Read more...] about Mice numbers in the absence of mammal predators

Upscaling restoration – 8 things to consider

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Public conservation land is only a small proportion of the total land of New Zealand and isn’t necessarily representative of the full range of ecosystems. David Norton (School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, Jason Butt (Environment Canterbury) and David Bergin (Environmental Restoration Ltd) … [Read more...] about Upscaling restoration – 8 things to consider

Eradication – what about the social impacts?

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Predator Free Great Barrier or Stewart Island? It’s already technically feasible. But is it socially feasible? When it comes to complete eradication of predators on inhabited islands there’s a lot more to consider than just the conservation benefits and technical aspects. People, their livestock, … [Read more...] about Eradication – what about the social impacts?

Survey investigates huge volunteer contribution

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It has been estimated that between 25,000 and 45,000 people belong to community-based environmental groups in New Zealand. That’s a lot of volunteer work and, as the estimate was made in 2011, numbers since then are likely to have grown. There’s also a pretty wide range of uncertainty in those … [Read more...] about Survey investigates huge volunteer contribution

Achieving a predator free Banks Peninsula – costs revealed

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In geologically ancient times, Banks Peninsula was a group of volcanic islands and even now is only connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. That makes the Peninsula of particular interest as a possible trial site for non-fenced mainland predator eradication. So could it be done? … [Read more...] about Achieving a predator free Banks Peninsula – costs revealed

Serendipity helps Hochstetter’s Frogs

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When planning began for Maungatautari Ecological Island Sanctuary, no-one knew that a population of New Zealand’s endemic Hochstetter’s Frog lived within the sanctuary’s planned fenceline. For once, one of our threatened species was in the right placed at the right time and it's discovery was an … [Read more...] about Serendipity helps Hochstetter’s Frogs

Landholders and landscape scale predator control

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We can do island eradications. We’re the world’s best at it. Mainland, regional-scale predator control is one of the next big predator-free challenges and a key part of that challenge is getting every landholder behind the project. What happens if some landholders don’t want to be involved? Will … [Read more...] about Landholders and landscape scale predator control

Mammal-free islands – a biosecurity challenge

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Returning from an overseas trip, New Zealanders all know the drill – biosecurity is paramount – and no, you can’t carry on eating that fresh fruit you brought with you once you leave the plane. But how many of us think about biosecurity as we head off to the beach for summer? If you’re planning … [Read more...] about Mammal-free islands – a biosecurity challenge