Not all introduced mammals are predators. Apart from omnivorous pigs, the 14 types of ungulate (hooved) mammals introduced here over the years are all plant-grazers of one sort or another. But restoring habitat and removing predators go hand-in-hand if we’re to reverse the downward spiral of our … [Read more...] about Monitoring shows ungulates increasing on public conservation land
Techniques/technologies
Goat Island rat abundance measured in multiple ways
Markus Gronwald and James Russell from the University of Auckland recently measured rat relative abundance on Goat Island, 70km north of Auckland. Both camera traps and digital strike counters for Goodnature A24 self-resetting traps were used and the results compared. A total of 7155 videos, more … [Read more...] about Goat Island rat abundance measured in multiple ways
River tested as reinvasion obstacle to possums
Reinvasion by predators, of previously cleared areas, is one of the many challenges of becoming predator free. We can’t fence huge tracts of wilderness – but we can potentially make use of natural barriers. Possums, for example, may be reluctant to cross rivers. Possums may be reluctant to cross … [Read more...] about River tested as reinvasion obstacle to possums
Less stress = translocation success for tiny rifleman
Translocation is an important tool for conservation management – but it comes with risks. The capture and transfer process can be highly stressful to wildlife. Some individuals can and have died. Finding ways to reduce translocation stress can save lives. And the lives that are saved are often … [Read more...] about Less stress = translocation success for tiny rifleman
Know your bird calls – human brain vs hard-drive
It was human vs hard-drive in Rawhiti, Northland when researchers pitted volunteer bird enthusiasts of various ages and experience against Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs). Senses were pitted against sensors to see who (or what) was best at detecting and identifying calls. Both humans and machines … [Read more...] about Know your bird calls – human brain vs hard-drive
When economics meets ecology – assessing the ‘ecosystem services’ of farmland
Wetland areas and covenanted bush blocks on farms have a clear ecological value, but do they have an economic value as well? The answer is yes. But that leads to another question. How can you assess the economic value of an area of wetland or remnant forest that isn’t producing saleable crops or … [Read more...] about When economics meets ecology – assessing the ‘ecosystem services’ of farmland
Blue Mountains study shows 1080 effective – even for hedgehogs, mice
In the past there’s been some uncertainty over the effectiveness of large-scale aerial 1080 operations to control mice and little is known about its effect on hedgehogs. Recent trail camera monitoring of mammal predators before and after a control operation in the Blue Mountains, West Otago, … [Read more...] about Blue Mountains study shows 1080 effective – even for hedgehogs, mice
Catching feral cats on camera
Feral cats are nocturnal, elusive creatures and can cover a lot of ground. They can range up to 6 kilometres, making monitoring difficult. So how do you go about detecting them? Camera trap monitoring reveals a feral cat... Camera traps are a useful, non-invasive way to determine whether … [Read more...] about Catching feral cats on camera
Dual 1080 bait switch solves bait-shy possum issues
When researchers tested a dual baiting regime on ship rats back in 2016-2017, they also made some interesting observations about possum behaviour in their study area. Could dual baiting be adapted to overcome the bait-shy behaviour of possum survivors too? Possums that survive an aerial 1080 … [Read more...] about Dual 1080 bait switch solves bait-shy possum issues
Rats on the move – how far do they disperse?
How far might young rats disperse if they find themselves in a place with few other rat competitors? It’s an important question, with implications for deciding what surveillance is needed to detect invasions in predator-free islands, sanctuaries and ultimately, large predator-free mainland … [Read more...] about Rats on the move – how far do they disperse?