This week marks the publication of the Maukahuka Pest Free Auckland Island project report on the technical feasibility of eradicating pigs, cats and mice from Auckland Island. This is the most significant milestone since the eradication of pigs from the island was first raised in 1982. Over the … [Read more...] about Maukahuka Pest Free Auckland Island: Will it work?
Success stories
Predator professionals: the next generation
On a fine day, views along The Old Ghost Road stretch across the winding Mokihinui River and over alpine vistas, valleys of tussock and dense native forests. The 85km West Coast trail, once a drawcard for fortune seekers during the Gold Rush and now a popular tramping/mountain biking route, runs … [Read more...] about Predator professionals: the next generation
Predator Free Backyards funding is now open
The current round of Predator Free Backyard Communities funding is open. Communities wanting to become predator free can now apply for funding that will support trapping in their backyards. Image credit: Predator Free Opawaho. To be eligible to apply for funding a community should be a … [Read more...] about Predator Free Backyards funding is now open
Bats influenced by rainfall when visiting unique ‘wood rose’
Short-tailed bats are the main pollinators of New Zealand’s only fully parasitic flowering plant – the wood rose (Dactylanthus taylorii), known to Māori as te pua o te rēinga. Both the bat and the wood rose are endangered, but we still have a lot to learn about the feeding/pollinating relationship … [Read more...] about Bats influenced by rainfall when visiting unique ‘wood rose’
Getting to know our largest reptile
Everyone knows about tuatara – right? Most New Zealanders know that our tuatara was around in dinosaur times and out-survived all the dinosaur ‘big names’ like Tyrannosaurus Rex. And we all know what a tuatara looks like. But how much do you actually know about them? Tuatara at Nga Manu Reserve … [Read more...] about Getting to know our largest reptile
Breeding wrybills face multiple challenges
Wrybills, the little shore birds with a bend in their beak, are only found in New Zealand. They breed on the South Island’s braided rivers with well-camouflaged eggs and chicks to help protect them from flying predators. But camouflage is no protection against mammal predators who hunt by … [Read more...] about Breeding wrybills face multiple challenges
Rat-trapping has long history in Aotearoa
Rat-trapping started early in Aotearoa’s history. The Polynesian ancestors of Māori brought the kiore across the Pacific in their voyaging waka, probably around the 13th Century AD and early Māori developed several types of ingenious rat traps to catch them. Wharenui, Roma marae, Ahipara, … [Read more...] about Rat-trapping has long history in Aotearoa
Predator pitfalls for live-trapped lizards
A common way to monitor what insects or lizards are around, is to use a live-capture pitfall trap which skinks, geckos and ground-based insects then fall into. With lizards, slices of pear or sometimes petfood are used to attract them to the trap. The Barber pitfall trap - essentially a plastic … [Read more...] about Predator pitfalls for live-trapped lizards
Feisty, melodious tūī is a welcome garden visitor
We New Zealanders love our tūī. Maybe its their feisty, humorous territorial antics. Or maybe it’s the melodious calls interspersed with those ridiculous ‘snorts’. Perhaps its the iridescent black/green/blue/purple of their feathers. Tūī: Matt Binns (Wikimedia Commons). Whatever the reasons, … [Read more...] about Feisty, melodious tūī is a welcome garden visitor
Sheep, beef farms have significant conservation potential
Productive land such as farms, horticulture and lifestyle blocks make up 60% of the land area in New Zealand and often contains native vegetation. Such land could – and often already does – make a significant contribution towards conservation goals. But currently we know very little about the amount … [Read more...] about Sheep, beef farms have significant conservation potential