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 homegrown innovative tech is rolling out of labs and into the field. Here are five cutting-edge advancements to protect our wildlife.
AI-powered tools
Smart people have created traps and cameras that “think” for themselves. So, when a kiwi or a kea enters a trap, it doesn’t go off. But when a possum or stoat goes in, it’s haere rā (goodbye). AI allows for more precise and efficient predator control, reducing the bycatch risk and saving time for field teams.
The Critter Solutions kill trap uses real-time species identification to trigger only on selected species. Using AI means the trap design can be far more open and inviting because it doesn’t need to stop other species from entering. The AI is complemented by self-resetting functions, an attractive long-life lure, a robust design for living in the bush, and months of battery life.
Similarly, NZ Autotraps’ futuristic-sounding AT520-AI, uses AI to distinguish species. When an animal approaches the trap, it detects movement through proximity sensors, and the AI camera takes pictures to identify it. The trap only arms when it gets a positive ID on a target species, for example, a possum.
On the detection side, tools like the DOC AI CAM made by Cacophony and ASG Technologies’ PredaCAM use advanced imaging and cloud-based AI to identify predators, including rats, stoats, and possums and send instant alerts for rapid response. They are especially useful in areas with low predator populations, such as off-shore islands or conservation zones, allowing for rapid response before predators can establish themselves.
Selective toxins
Scientists are working on toxins that target pests without harming other animals or building up in the environment. A major breakthrough is norbormide, a rat-specific toxin that leaves birds, pets and livestock unharmed. NZ scientists were the first in the world to make norbormide palatable to rats. It is currently awaiting government approval.
Another innovation is Envico Technologies’ Spitfire: a device that uses weight and position sensors to only trigger on possums, spraying a deadly dose of toxin straight onto the animal’s fur as it enjoys a free meal. The possum ingests the toxin during grooming.
Drones
Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) take predator control to new heights – literally. Drones can fly closer to target areas than helicopters, have a smaller footprint and fly slower, meaning they can be more precise. Drones also enable access to places humans can’t easily reach.
At the click of a laptop button, heavy-lifting drones created by Envico Technologies can reach deep into remote corners to distribute toxic bait to introduced predators. These drones can also drop special seed pods that grow into trees. With overseas successes, this technology is currently in field trials in New Zealand.
Real-time, remote communication
Real-time connectivity is becoming essential in large predator free operations.
It allows for instant updates on trap status, animal captures, and other important data – ensuring faster responses to predators and reducing the time and effort needed for on-the-ground monitoring.
For example, Encounter Solution’s Celium Nodes can be attached to virtually any trap type, including live capture and kill traps.
It sends an alert when the trap has triggered, which improves welfare for live capture traps and reduces the need for frequent trap visits.
Other systems, such as Critter Solutions’ Flexi-comms, also transmit data from multiple traps or cameras through one central hub, making monitoring large areas much easier.
Automatic lure dispensers
The latest advancements in lures are all about longevity and automation. Traps or trail cameras can be paired with dispensers that automatically release lure over time, keeping it fresh and attractive for up to a year. This innovation saves valuable time and resources, especially in remote or hard-to-access areas.
ZIP’s MotoLure dispenses fresh mayonnaise to attract possums, rats and stoats for up to one year without manual service. It can be added to traps, paired with a trail camera for monitoring, or a biomarker can be added to the lure so researchers can monitor the movement of rats and stoats throughout the landscape. Another innovation, the H2-Zero uses a hydrogen coin cell battery to produce pressure within a dispensing chamber and dispense lure containing rat toxin over a three-month period. Predator Free Wellington is currently trialling this technology.
Critter Solution’s EzyLure can also be retrofitted to traps and bait stations with a long battery life (up to two years) to dispense a user-selected amount of lure at predetermined intervals.
Predator Free 2050 Limited and the Department of Conservation have provided millions of dollars in funding for developing predator eradication tools and best practice for their use, while creating jobs and supporting the tech industry in New Zealand.
