Tuatara dilemma: the common rat poison that’s saving the species and proving fatal
Tuatara owe their survival to rat control. Without rat toxin, these ancient reptiles would likely be wiped out by rats that consume their eggs and…
Expert reaction: plans to “de-extinct” the moa
A new project involving Sir Peter Jackson, a US biotech company, and an iwi research institute aims to bring back the extinct moa within five…
Unexpected volunteers: the backpackers backing predator free
When international travellers sign up for a Workaway stint in rural North Canterbury, they don’t expect to be plucking possum fur or wrestling with the…
Could we just “send back” introduced predators to their home countries?
Returning possums to Australia, hedgehogs to Europe, and stoats to the United Kingdom sounds like a win-win. Could we return introduced predators to their native…
5 reasons the tīeke should be your favourite bird
If you’re looking for a new feathery friend to obsess over, then look no further than the tīeke (saddleback). There’s more to them than striking…
Targeting feral cats: a practical quick guide
This handy guide is packed with quick tips for targeting feral cats — like using pre-fed traps, setting them near haybarns or bridges, and using…
Duck, duck, gone: pāteke face local extinction on Aotea Great Barrier Island
A new study has revealed the pāteke (brown teal) on Aotea (Great Barrier Island) is at serious risk of local extinction within the next 100…
Comic: the future of our beech forests
Illustrator Andrew James explains Manaaki Whenua research on how climate change might affect rat populations in New Zealand’s beech forests. RELATED Comic: solving the rat…
Last stoat standing: wildest game of hide and seek on Waiheke
An unlikely battle of wits is unfolding among the idyllic vineyards, tangled mangroves, and thriving native bush on Waiheke Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. No,…
“Farmers are ecologists at heart”: an Auckland farm going big on predator control
Shirley-Ann and Rick Mannering run a productive sheep, beef and dairy operation just south of Auckland. But alongside that, they’re leading a quiet ecological revolution…
Brutal truths: 7 feral cat facts
Feral cats are among the most skilled hunters in our country. They roam far, survive in harsh conditions and prey on native wildlife, pushing vulnerable…
These carnivorous snails slurp earthworms like spaghetti
It’s a dark, rainy night in the beech forest. A lemon-sized snail glides silently across the leaf litter, hot on the trail of an unsuspecting…
True cost: predators can damage your home and your wallet
When cold weather pushes rats and mice indoors, infestations happen. Rodents cause damage by chewing through wiring, timber, insulation, and pipes. The bad news? Most…
The hills have eyes: cameras reveal predators dodging traps in Mt Aspiring National Park
Predators are being trapped in record numbers in the West Matukituki Valley — but some cunning survivors are slipping through the cracks. Now, a local…
Next-gen traps built for NZ’s toughest terrain
Smart traps that recognise their targets, reset themselves and adapt to trap-evading predators are joining the predator free movement. And they can withstand the rugged,…
