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Trap box sitting in a garden surrounded by grass and flowers.

Birdsong and buy-in: Simplicity Foundation backs grassroots trapping

From tiny towns to beachside suburbs, neighbours are getting organised, predators are getting caught, and that sought-after dawn chorus is getting a little louder. With…

A takahe in tussock with people in the background.

Can tourism actually help nature? This company thinks so

“Take only photos and leave only footprints” is the golden rule of responsible travel. But what if tourism did more? What if it helped bring…

A kakapo and karearea overlaid on a photo of a sheep and beef farm with bush in the background.

Wild neighbours: living next to an ecosanctuary

From finding a wandering kākāpō to fending off a kārearea (falcon), life near an ecosanctuary comes with unforgettable wildlife encounters – and big responsibilities.  Before…

Hedgehog in leaf litter at night

“Underrated predators”: 5 surprising facts about hedgehogs

Hedgehogs were first introduced in New Zealand in the 1870s to make British settlers feel more at home. Now, 150 years later, the impact hedgehogs…

Tongs holding a bundled up pair of tongs over a DOC 200

Old socks and kitchen tongs? 7 accessories to elevate your trapping kit

Trapping might not be glamorous, but there’s still room to accessorise. Whether you’re a seasoned trapper or just starting out, having the right kit makes…

Wings and detatched legs of a dead pukunui

“The rarest bird you’ve never heard of”: last stand against feral cats for southern dotterel

Six rangers and 472 feral cat traps stand between the pukunui (southern NZ dotterel) and oblivion. When ranger Daniel Cocker arrives to check on one…

A collage of traps in scenic locations around New Zealand.

Are these the most scenic traps in New Zealand?

Exploring most trails in Aotearoa, you might notice wooden boxes or contraptions. While mysterious to those unfamiliar, they are actually signs of hope. New Zealand…

A cage trap on the top of a hill. There are various electronic devices (called nodes) attached that send information when the trap is triggered

The future is now: 5 tech advancements for Predator Free 2050

Tools of the trade are getting smarter, cooler and downright futuristic. While there’s no magical silver bullet for solving our pest problem, a wave of…

A kea on a rock

Keep kea safe: predator control guidelines

Kea are naturally curious – but that curiosity can be dangerous for them. The Kea Conservation Trust has a safe practice guide for ground-based predator…

A cicada on a branch.

Love songs of summer: 5 cool cicada facts

That deafening chorus of cicadas you hear on a summer stroll? It’s the sound of males loudly serenading females in their quest for love. From…

Five things to rid a city of rats: Predator Free Wellington’s Urban Blueprint

Five things to rid a city of rats: Predator Free Wellington’s Urban Blueprint

Since 2019, Predator Free Wellington (PFW) has been working to rid the capital of rats, mustelids, and possums. As a world-first urban eradication project, it…

Ruru chicks on a tree

The accidental ruru guru

Rowan Nicholson has been there for moments few humans have witnessed: the secretive nocturnal mating of ruru (morepork) and the wide-eyed wonder of newly hatched…

A collage of predator free experts on a background of stylized DNA

Expert reaction: what does lifting the ‘ban’ on genetic modification mean for predator free?

The government plans to reform the country’s strict regulations on genetically engineered or modified organisms outside the lab. What does this mean for the predator…

Native chippy pinchers: 5 surprising facts about our native gulls

Native chippy pinchers: 5 surprising facts about our native gulls

What comes to mind when you think of a gull? Noisy seaside neighbours? Picnic scavengers? How about declining species? 1. Three types of native gulls…

Kiwi trail camera footage as if it were a Netflix show.

Your next binge-watch: The Secret Life of Northland Wildlife

Who needs Netflix when you’ve got the secret lives of local wildlife to watch? From kiwi showing off their tiny wings to a bittern gulping…