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Cam Speedy is a wildlife biologist and predator control specialist. Read about the trapping success he has had when using maramataka.

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Do you plant and harvest your vegetable garden by the moon? Do you fish by the moon? Many people do and recognise the positive influence that following the rhythms of nature can have on our outcomes. You won't be surprised to know it's the same with trapping predators.

This article was originally published by Connovation and was written by Cam Speedy, a wildlife biologist and predator control specialist.
As a professional ecologist and life-long hunter-gatherer, I have watched the patterns in nature all my life, as indigenous cultures have done for aeons.

Māori culture has, over centuries, developed a detailed understanding of what they call the 'maramataka' - the lunar calendar or cycle.

They have always applied it to their māra (gardens), to fishing and eeling, to bird hunting, health and well-being, and even social interactions.

There are 30 phases, each with a unique energy, however, four recognisable phases are:

New Moon - Whiro phase (lowest activity)

Waxing Moon - Tamatea phase (unpredictable)

Full Moon - Rākaunui phase (highest energy)

Waning Moon - Tangaroa phase (most productive).

As a hunter, I have always recognised similar distinct patterns when night shooting. Sometimes, there is just nothing doing; other times, there are critters there, but they are very shy or just too fast. Sometimes, it's simply all on - critters everywhere that hold in the light.

It is the same with fishing - fishing is more productive at 'bite time' - when the moon is directly above, especially when that happens at dawn (Tangaroa phase) or dusk (Tamatea phase).

Deer are also more active at 'bite time'. With over 40 'deer roars' under my belt, I now plan my roar trips to coincide with the end of the third lunar quarter (start of the Tangaroa phase) - when hind cycling and stag activity is much higher - and I make sure I'm looking over hot spots at 'bite time'.

As I began applying maramataka principles to my predator trapping, my diary notes started to speak for themselves - for example, the serviced traps were fresh for the 'Tangaroa' moon phase (seven to 12 days after the full moon) and out-performed other traps.

Many of us fit trap checking into busy lives and schedules.

We can only get to our allocated trap lines in our community predator free projects once every few weeks. When we do, we often find that the dead pests are pretty manky - they are mostly caught within a few days/nights of the last trap service when baits are fresh; scuffs beside the trap haven't been rained on and are still 'interesting' to the target species; and the lures used are still highly attractive.

I have consistently found that traps serviced a day or two before the Tangaroa phase catch more pests.

If you also start to layer in weather influences (most critters stay home during cold, wet stormy periods to re-emerge once the weather fronts clear), take note of and follow wider seasonal patterns in animal behaviour (eg., mating, breeding and dispersal) and understand seasonal diet changes, you will transform your trapping success.

A good example of this more holistic, connected-to-nature approach is what I call " possum night clubs ".

Possums have a major mating period in March each year.

If you start regularly pre-feeding pending control sites during the Tamatea (Waxing) Moon phase in mid to late February, for two weeks through the high energy Full Moon phase, you will set up an incredible social communication system within your local possum population.

Sites on ridges or spurs will allow sound and scent to travel more widely across the landscape.

The number of possums coming each night increases almost exponentially as interacting possums travel to and from the site daily, leaving scent trails, scats, food cues, pheromones, and game trails to your pending control site.

After two weeks, as the Tangaroa Moon phase rolls around in early to mid-March, you will be ready to set multiple traps, night shoot (with thermals) or lay toxins and remove large numbers of possums from a significant landscape around each site.

How worn the game trails to your sites are will indicate just how much possum activity there is at each. The results (in terms of numbers) will depend on possum density, but for low-density populations, getting them to follow each other to you is actually way less effort than trying to track each one down - individually.

Social interaction is easy when using the right activity levels (governed by the moon phase) at the right time of year.

This approach has helped me put the target animal at the centre of my thinking: What is it doing, when and why?

Most importantly, this makes me focus on how to best use this understanding to maximise my contribution to protecting my local environment.

This is an ancient approach proven and used by indigenous cultures around the world - forever. It is about a deeper connection and understanding of the environments we love. And that is a powerful thing - on so many levels.
https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/new-zealand/taupo https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/maori/matariki-maori-new-year/nights-maramataka-maori-lunar https://www.maramataka.co.nz/products/maramataka-wall-planner-2024-2025
Predator trapping by the moon - it's a game changer!

These websites will help you navigate the exact timing of the maramataka:

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Predator trapping by the moon: the influence of maramataka

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Many people recognise the influence that the moon phase can have on hunting, fishing and gardening. It's the same with trapping predators.

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Impacts of goats, pigs and deer on our forests

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Impacts of goats, pigs and deer on our forests

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Featuring footage of a deer roaming Blenheim streets!

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Forest-munching hooved animals have spread out and colonised almost a third more conservation land during the past eight years - just as the Government was beginning to realise pest control could boost carbon stocks.

Feral deer, goats and pigs now roam 82 per cent of the conservation estate, up from 63 per cent in 2013, according to Department of Conservation (DOC) monitoring.

Wildlife conservation group Forest & Bird believes that is an underestimate and is pushing for a huge boost in government funding for controlling wild ungulates (hooved animals) to prevent more damage to carbon-rich native forests.

"Unless there is urgent intervention, our country's largest living carbon sinks are on a death watch," said the group's chief executive, Kevin Hague.

READ MORE:
* Calls for more culling as deer munch their way through Hutt Valley gardens
* Culling deer, possums and other pests could undo 15 per cent of our annual climate impact - Forest and Bird
* Fences essential to stop marauding feral deer and pigs damaging Christchurch's Port Hills

The lobby group used Conservation Department data to create maps showing where the problem is most intense.

It said pests were also spilling on to "massive swathes" of farm, forestry and privately owned conservation reserves, from public land.

State-owned farming company Pāmu issued a statement confirming it was seeing a rise in pests on land it farms, which was making it harder to use trees for controlling erosion and reducing nitrogen pollution of waterways.

"We have established forestry and erosion control and riparian plantings on our East Coast and northern Hawke's Bay farms and began pest control to give the plantings the best chance of survival but the numbers of pests, particularly goats and deer, are making this very challenging," said Pāmu environment manager Gordon Williams.

"Even our farm staff were unaware of the scale of the problem and we are likely underestimating the pests within the wider landscape."

Asked if publicly owned forests were acting as a reservoir for pests, Dave Carlton, DOC's project lead on biodiversity threats, acknowledged public forests were part of the problem - but said farmers who were previously happy to have a "few deer" out the back of their properties were also contributing.

"That [pests on DOC-managed land] is part of the issue but it is a little more complicated than that," said Carlton.

"The deer numbers have built up in farm/forest fringes as many landowners have historically been happy to have a few deer out the back of the property. In the past they would not have agreed to control of these deer or granted access through their property for recreational hunters," he said.

"These herds have increased due to access to good grazing and little hunting pressure, and are now causing impacts in rural areas, regardless of the ungulate populations on public conservation land."

Pest culling with aerial poison such as 1080 has sometimes caused tension between DOC and hunting groups, who value having wild deer for sport and venison. The department has sometimes added deer-repellant to its bait drops.

But if populations get too high, heavy browsing mammals can damage forests, compete for food with native species and eat out the forest understorey, preventing young forest regenerating when mature trees die. That could have devastating consequences for the country's climate impact, as well as the forests themselves.

The Government plans to embark on a plan to measure how much culling pests could boost carbon storage in native forests, as part of its proposals to slash the country's emissions.

According to a recent government document, "large-scale pest management offers the best chance of improving climate outcomes" from the country's native forests - possibly offsetting some pollution from cars, factories, farming and other activities. The Government plans to have a work programme to test this theory designed by the end of 2021.

New Zealand's indigenous forests store an estimated 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon (or about 6.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide) - the equivalent of 80 years of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions.

But the Climate Change Commission, the Government's independent advisory board on climate change, was told during its public consultation that pest numbers were too high to establish new forests in many regions and young trees were at risk, especially from growing numbers of goats and deer. It recommended "urgent and ongoing pest management" to protect native forests and their carbon.

Private f orestry consultants and Forest & Bird have also warned previously that carbon (some of it locked up for centuries) is at risk from devastating pest numbers, on both public and private land.

Although the Government currently has no recent estimates of how much the nation's carbon coffers could benefit from pest control, a previous report by Forest & Bird estimated a blitz on invasive mammals could let established native forests recover to the point where they sucked in 15 per cent of New Zealand's yearly greenhouse gas emissions.

Counting pellets

For its pest maps, Forest & Bird analysed various data gathered by DOC, including its monitoring of the distribution of different pests throughout New Zealand and counts of faecal pellets (animal droppings) in a series of 1m-radius monitoring plots dotted around New Zealand's conservation land.

DOC uses a national monitoring programme to assess roughly 1400 sites evenly spaced across conservation land. A random sample of about 280 of these sites is measured between September to May each year, by conservation workers hand-counting the pellets. This is the monitoring that shows ungulates (deer, goats and pigs) spreading out to cover roughly 82 per cent of public conservation land at the last count, ending 2021.

Forest & Bird looked at how many pellets were counted at each monitoring site, and dubbed places with 200-1200 poos per 1 metre-radius plot "high" in ungulates, and places with 1200-4765 poos per 1m plot as being in "crisis". The group acknowledged it was hard to find a scientific threshold for how many pests are too many for a forest's survival, so those labels were its interpretation of an unsustainable level.

Monitoring pests on private land can be more difficult than on DOC-run land, partly because the droppings can be confused with farmed deer and other livestock.

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Forest-munching pests colonised a third more conservation land in the past eight years

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Forest-munching hooved animals have spread out and colonised almost a third more conservation land during the past eight years - just as the Government was beginning to realise pest control could boost carbon stocks. Feral deer, goats and pigs now roam 82 per cent of the conservation estate, up from 63 per cent in 2013, according to Department of Conservation (DOC) monitoring.

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Did you know: Ferrets are one of the few introduced predators that will kill an adult kiwi. 😱

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In the 1830s rabbits were brought to New Zealand, and within a few decades, their population had ballooned. By 1870 they were considered an agricultural pest and farmers were desperate for a way to control their numbers. Many saw the solution to introduce ferrets, the natural predators of rabbits in England, even though some naturalists warned of the risk to our native species.

But political and economic pressures grew and the first ferrets were brought to Aotearoa in 1879. From 1882-1883 there were 32 shipments of ferrets from London to New Zealand, with about 700 ferrets released. From 1884 - 1886 another 4,000 ferrets and ferret-polecat hybrids were released here.

Ferrets are the largest of the three mustelids (including stoats and weasels) introduced to New Zealand. These predators have a devastating effect on our native wildlife.

Here are 5 facts you should know about ferrets:

Ferret. Image credit: Michelle Bridge (via DOC)

1. New Zealand has the largest known population of feral ferrets in the world

2. Ferrets can kill an adult kiwi

3. Ferrets have been found to be responsible for 18% of deadly attacks on ground-nesting birds in the Mackenzie Basin

4. Ferrets don't control rabbits - it's the other way around. Rabbit numbers control ferrets

5. Ferret bedding is used to attract ferrets or other mustelids to traps

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But political and economic pressures grew and the first ferrets were brought to Aotearoa in 1879. From 1882-1883 there were 32 shipments of ferrets from London to New Zealand, with about 700 ferrets released. From 1884 - 1886 another 4,000 ferrets and ferret-polecat hybrids were released here.

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Wasps are a real problem here in Te Tau Ihu (the top of the South). Find out what you can do to help here.

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For many of us summer is synonymous with backyard barbecues, beaches and being in the great outdoors.

But the buzz of summer is not always a good one - particularly if that buzz is coming from a wasp.

Now it is a time of action. Each and every one of us can help improve the biodiversity of New Zealand by eliminating any wasp nests we come across.

There are two main types of wasps causing problems in New Zealand: the paper wasp and the German or common wasp.

READ MORE:
* Wasp wipeout: how wasps dominate the food chain
* Ruthless villains, dangerous invaders: A history of German wasps in New Zealand

The paper wasp population has exploded across urban areas throughout New Zealand in the past five years, and most people will have at least one nest on their property. Forming on structures like fences, eaves, sheds and letter boxes, the nests are small and range from golf ball to softball size.

This wasp has had a dramatic affect on the insect life in our gardens. They are indiscriminate feeders, and while they may help out by killing pest insects, unfortunately they also attack our native butterfly and moth species, not to mention having decimated the monarch butterfly population.

Because the paper wasp feeds only on live insects it will not take bait. This makes them difficult to trap or poison, but the nests can be dealt with reasonably easily with wasp spray. If the nests are particularly hard to reach, you may need to call a pest controller. Search your property, but also get together with your neighbours to clear your street. A nest can be lurking just over the fence.

Not so easily controlled are the German or common wasp nests. These are usually underground or in a log or tree and can be huge (by huge, I mean as large as a car!). These wasps get angry easily and are aggressive so it's best to call in the professionals if you come across a nest. Call either your local council or Department of Conservation if it is on public land, or a pest controller for private land.

Stuff's Wasp Wipeout campaign helps to raise money to combat the German and common wasp, which cause huge problems in our native forests feeding on honeydew and attacking native insects and birds. They also make life very unpleasant when enjoying recreational activities, joining barbecues and picnics uninvited, and making walking or biking tracks a minefield.

Wasp Wipeout funds the purchase of bait and bait stations which are put out when the wasps switch to a protein diet, usually in February. The bait, Vespex, is carried back to the nest and is 95-99 per cent effective at wiping it out. In baited areas, trampers have reported an increase in bird song and an absence of that low-level hum which was pervasive on any bush walk.

Best of all, the bush smells different as the honeydew is no longer stripped out by wasps.

So how can you help improve New Zealand's biodiversity? Check your own and neighbours' properties for wasp nests and destroy them where you can. Donate to the Wasp Wipeout campaign, or register as a volunteer to help put out the bait in February.

Together we can make a difference.

* Wasp Wipeout is a collaboration between Stuff, the Department of Conservation, the Tasman Environmental Trust and Conservation Volunteers New Zealand. Donations to the campaign can be made at givealittle.co.nz/cause/wasp-wipeout

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Wasp Wipeout: Do your bit to help eliminate wasps this summer

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For many of us summer is synonymous with backyard barbecues, beaches and being in the great outdoors. But the buzz of summer is not always a good one - particularly if that buzz is coming from a wasp. Now it is a time of action.

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Backyard Tracker activity | Whenua Iti Outdoors

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Backyard Tracker activity | Whenua Iti Outdoors

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See what you can find in your backyard!

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What you'll need and dimensions for trapping tunnels.

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Rat traps should always be contained within a tunnel to keep kids and pets safe. They also ensure introduced predators such as rats and stoats approach the trap from the right direction and the trap can operate properly.

Tunnels are typically simple wooden boxes that have mesh at each end to ensure predators can see through the length of them.

Wooden tunnel.

You can purchase a trap inside a tunnel on our shop or it is relatively easy to make your own tunnel. Follow our easy to use template to build your your own.

You'll need the following:

H4 treated radiata or similar

10mm galvanised weld mesh

Galvanised decking nails

Stainless steel staples

Tools.

Make a standard length tunnel

Wooden Trap Tunnel Dimensions - standard length

Make a weka proof length tunnel

If you live in areas with weka or have particularly inquisitive pets you can build a slightly longer tunnel to make it harder for them to access - these are called weka length tunnels.

Wooden Trap Tunnel Dimensions - weka proof length.

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Rat traps should always be contained within a tunnel to keep kids and pets safe. They also ensure introduced predators such as rats and stoats approach the trap from the right direction and the trap can operate properly. Tunnels are typically simple wooden boxes that have mesh at each end to ensure predators can see through the length of them.

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Short video (4 min) about pest trapping at Normandale School | LEARNZ

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Short video (4 min) about pest trapping at Normandale School | LEARNZ

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You are at Normandale School. Find out what students here are doing to increase native wildlife at their school. This video could inspire you to take conservation action at your own school.
From the LEARNZ Kererū Count - kaitiakitanga in action virtual field trip.
More info at http://rata.learnz.org.nz/summary.php?vft=kererucount163

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Every night possums eat about 21,000 tonnes of vegetation — that’s nearly the weight of Auckland’s Sky Tower!! 😲

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The possum was introduced three years before the Treaty of Waitangi was signed and can now be found throughout the country, all the way from Rakiura Stewart Island to Cape Reinga.

It has taken us more than a hundred years from when possums were first introduced here to understand the gravity of the damage they do to our environment.

A possum in Lake Heron Station in the South Island. Image credit: Geoff Wilson.

Here's what you need to know:

1. Possums eat juvenile kea

A 2013 research project by Kea Conservation Trust captured footage of possums killing and eating kea.

Although possums were known to raid the nests of smaller birds, this video footage was the first evidence of this behaviour.

2. Possums don't like getting wet

Possums dislike getting wet and this means rivers can form a natural barrier to limit their spread.

Anecdotal reports of rivers acting as obstacles to possum movements have been around for a while, so Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) decided to test the theory. They conducted a study of the Orongorongo River and found that none of the monitored possums crossed the river. There's a lot more research to be done, but initial results sound promising.

This also means possum shooting is quite successful the first couple of dry nights after a spell of rain.

Orongorongo River. Image credit: Pseudopanax.

3. Possums are naturally curious and are attracted to bright colours

They are also highly driven by food. These qualities make using an enticing lure a powerful tool for trappers and baiters. Wildlife biologist Cam Speedy's special sweet flour paste recipe is designed to lure in possums using visual and olfactory cues. Spreading the paste on tree trunks and the area surrounding a trap/bait station creates interest.

Possum eating a kiekie. Image credit: Nga Manu Images.

Winter is the best time of year for possum control, as natural food supplies are at their lowest and possums are hungry. This means they're more likely to take alternate foods. So decide whether trapping or baiting is right for your property and get started.

4. Every night possums eat about 21,000 tonnes of vegetation - that's nearly the weight of Auckland's Sky Tower

Instead of that Sky Tower's worth of vegetation growing into a healthy and balanced ecosystem, it feeds millions of possums with a seemingly limitless appetite. Possums decimate every level of the forest ecosystem. They strip and kill trees, predate the eggs and chicks of our native birds and they eat weta and other native insects.

Skytower. Image credit: Duane Storey

It's not just what they eat but how they eat

Possums will return night after night to a single tree, systematically stripping it bare before moving on to another of the same species. By doing this, possums change the overall structure and composition of our native forests.

At any one time, about 6 plant species will make up 75 percent of a possum's diet. Possums will eat more than 70 types of native tree species, but their clear favourites are often tall canopy trees like tawa, rātā, kohekohe, kāmahi and tōtara. Placing traps or bait stations near or on their favourite trees increases the success of your possum control.

In a report by Forest and Bird looking into the impact of introduced predators on the climate crisis, it was found that browsers like possums also significantly impact the ability of our native forests to sequester carbon.

5. Possums spread noxious plant species

Possums aren't only eating through our forests, they are also helping to disperse invasive and noxious plant species. A University of Canterbury study explored the dispersal of the Banana Passion vine, a noxious weed, by introduced pest species and how that facilitated the plant's invasiveness.

Banana passion vine bearing fruit. Image credit: H. Zell.

The study found that the Banana Passion vine has formed a symbiotic relationship with introduced predators such as possums. The possum gets fed and the plant gets spread through their droppings. The study concluded by saying the control of the weed should go hand in hand with the control of the introduced predators dispersing its seeds.

6. In the 90's, the iconic New Zealand Christmas tree was under threat from possums

For many North Islanders, nothing says 'summer is here' quite like a pōhutukawa in bloom on the edge of the coastline. It's hard to believe that thirty years ago the future of the 'New Zealand Christmas tree' was uncertain.

In 1990, possum populations were out of control and in some parts of the country up to 90% of coastal pōhutukawa stands were gone. Possums are particularly damaging to pōhutukawa because they prefer to eat newly expanding flowers and vegetative buds. This causes rapid canopy dieback.

Pohutukawa Flowers. Image credit: Paul Jackson.

In just two years, established pōhutukawa can be killed by possums and their extensive eating habits.

In response to the decimation of our native tree, the Project Crimson taskforce was formed. This group funds pōhutukawa research and encourages community efforts to protect existing trees and replant areas with new seedlings. Since the 1990's, Project Crimson has planted over 300,000 pōhutukawa and rata.

7. Possums are the main source and carrier of bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand

Possums can carry a disease called bovine tuberculosis which they spread to cattle. Bovine tuberculosis is a serious, highly infectious disease found in cattle and deer herds, causing weight loss and death.

A cow. Image credit: Stanze.

If TBfree's bovine TB eradication programme were to stop, the potential cost to New Zealand as a country has been estimated at $5 billion over 10 year.

Learn more about bovine tuberculosis here.

Related links:

Learn more about possums from our introduced predator facts.

Deciding whether to bait or trap possums on your property?

We sell the trapinator in our store, a NAWAC-approved possum trap.

Wildlife biologist Cam Speedy webinar on effective predator control.

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7 surprising facts you should know about possums - Predator Free NZ

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The possum was introduced three years before the Treaty of Waitangi was signed and can now be found throughout the country, all the way from Rakiura Stewart Island to Cape Reinga. It has taken us more than a hundred years from when possums were first introduced here to understand the gravity of the damage they do to our environment.

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Protecting our Natural Ecosystems' Carbon Sinks | Forest & Bird

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Protecting our Natural Ecosystems' Carbon Sinks | Forest & Bird

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This report, Protecting our Natural Ecosystems’ Carbon Sinks, reveals the West Coast’s kāmahi-podocarp forests alone are presently bleeding 3.4 million tonnes of CO2 every year because of browsing from deer, goats, chamois, and possums. To put this carbon loss into perspective it is equivalent to the country’s 2018 domestic air travel emissions.

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Documentary film & podcast series exploring the notion of a Predator Free 2050 in Aotearoa.

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Series Classification: G (General Programmes) | Produced for RNZ by Fisheye Films
4 x 45-minute Video Documentary Series
Filmed and Directed by Peter Young

*Choose your episode to watch from the playlist above.

Listen to the Podcast

4 x 25-minute Podcast Documentary Series
Written and Presented by Dave Hansford

Dealing with Loss takes listeners back to Gondwana, to explore just why our native birds are so tragically vulnerable to predation by mammals from another hemisphere and another time. It then presents a series of "criminal profiles" introducing listeners to the Predator Free target species: the brushtail possum, the stoat, the kiore, and the ship and Norway rats, through accounts from the country's leading experts. The podcast then quantifies the loss - one of the worst extinction episodes on the planet - before relating the peril that continues today, with commentary from field experts on the impacts of this suite of predators. See more about this episode.

Remove and Protect  reveals what Aotearoa means to do about the losing battle for our wildlife. It sets out the critical distinction between business-as-usual pest control - simply holding a line - and the step change, and monumental challenge, that is eradication. It looks at some ingenious new tools - smart, autonomous devices that are already changing our idea of what's possible and what's affordable. Host Dave Hansford and the experts then tell listeners the plan, the nuts-and-bolts detail of exactly how we mean to find and catch that last rat. See more about this episode.

PF2050 and Māori looks at the vital contribution of Māori towards achieving Predator Free. It begins by exploring the deep relationship between Māori and the natural world, and the ways in which the loss of biodiversity impact on the identity and well-being of Māori, and on the very culture itself. Commentators set out their expectations around Predator Free, and we explore the chance it offers for tino rangatiratanga, and a genuine bicultural partnership. They talk too, about how, by healing Nature, people can themselves be healed. See more about this episode.

The final podcast in the series, What's in it for Us?, counts both the costs and benefits of Predator Free. It explores the costs of not doing it, before setting out a range of possible, positive outcomes for the economy, our exports, for Aotearoa's standing on the world stage - and most importantly, for ourselves and those who will follow. In one of the last interviews Sir Rob Fenwick gave before his death in March 2020, he talks about what Predator Free meant to him, and estimates our chances of success. See more about this episode.

Fight for the Wild takes viewers into the wild heart of Aotearoa and documents the desperate battle to protect it; it explores the notion of a Predator Free 2050 and asks whether this big, bold initiative is achievable and if so, how?

Every year an army of introduced predators devours the eggs and chicks of some 26 million native New Zealand birds, as well as countless insects, amphibians, reptiles and plants. We currently have more than 4000 natives on the threatened species list and many more vulnerable to predation - New Zealand's catalogue of shame.

But in 2016, the nation decided enough was enough. Predator Free 2050 was born - an eviction order served on the three most voracious predators - rats, stoats and possums. It's our most ambitious conservation effort ever and is to be enforced by hundreds of thousands of ordinary Kiwis.

In Fight for the Wild we walk with the kaitiaki, ecologists, inventors and community trappers desperately defending our taonga species. We follow the fortunes of kea, kiwi, kakariki and other native species and discover the fascinating initiatives underway as we come to their rescue. We examine the tough choices our nation needs to make as we navigate the challenges of protecting our wildlife. And among the hard decisions and desperate losses, we discover bold visions, hard won victories and hope.

Fight for the Wild is a call to action for all New Zealanders. It tells how each of us holds a piece of a jigsaw, and how, if we all play our part, we might just see a wilderness saved and our Wild returned.

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BEST FACTUAL SERIES, NZTV AWARDS 2022. Documentary film & podcast series exploring the notion of a Predator Free 2050 in Aotearoa. Made possible by the RNZ/NZOA Innovation Fund.

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The results of an independent and thorough investigation into the use of 1080 by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment in 2011.

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In 2011 Commissioner Wright conducted an independent and thorough investigation into the use of 1080. She carefully judged evidence gathered from many sources, and concluded that 1080 is both a safe and effective tool in the fight to protect our native birds.

In particular, 1080 is by far the best weapon we have in combating the massive increase in rat and stoat numbers that follow a mast event. A mast event occurred in 2015 and the Department of Conservation initiated a 'Battle for Our Birds' campaign to combat it, with great success. Another mast event occurred in 2019, and 1080 was again essential to holding the line in the life-and-death battle to save our native birds from predators.

New Zealand has one of the highest extinction rates of native species in the world, largely due to predation by introduced mammals. While trapping and other poisons are very important weapons in our fight against predators, it is only 1080 that has the capacity to deal with the booming populations of predators seen in mast years.

While New Zealand is not alone in facing a challenge to protect its native species, we cannot afford to underestimate the size of the problem. Around 90 per cent of our birds and insects are found nowhere else in the world, along with 80 per cent of our plants and all of our 60 reptiles, four frogs and three bats.

Commissioner Wright called for significant efforts to deal with introduced predators, including the use of 1080 in controlling pest numbers. In this explore section you can discover more about her work in this important area.

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In 2011 Commissioner Wright conducted an independent and thorough investigation into the use of 1080. She carefully judged evidence gathered from many sources, and concluded that 1080 is both a safe and effective tool in the fight to protect our native birds.

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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 have on our native species is only just being understood.

For a long time they were seen as innocuous garden inhabitants, but with more research the picture is becoming clear. Hedgehogs pose a real threat to our already vulnerable invertebrates, lizards and ground-dwelling birds.

With our childhood memories of feeding them milk on saucers, many New Zealanders struggle to reconcile the fact that hedgehogs impact our native species, so we've pulled together seven facts so you can learn more about them.

1. The hedgehog population in New Zealand is more numerous than in their native homeland, the United Kingdom

New Zealand has one of the world's largest introduced hedgehog populations. In many parts of the country there are an estimated two to four hedgehogs per hectare (a hectare is approximately the size of a rugby field) and in some areas there may be as many as eight!

Hedgehog in the forest at night. Photo credit @ Paul Williams

2. Hedgehogs are excellent swimmers and climbers

Did you know that in a single night, a hedgehog can swim over 800m in search of food? Hedgehogs are also adept climbers that can climb hedges and high walls.

Hedgehog climbing a wall. Photo credit: Paul Williams

3. A hedgehog shocked researchers recently by appearing nearly 2000 metres up a mountain in the Mackenzie Basin

Hedgehogs are abundant through the lowland and coastal districts, less numerous in hills and are scarce in mountainous areas, although their presence in these areas may be increasing.

They are scarce or absent in areas where rainfall exceeds 250 cm/year or where more than 250 frosts occur annually.

Hedgehog distribution in New Zealand. Credit @ Department of Conservation.

4. One hedgehog was found with 283 wētā legs in its stomach

Wētā have six legs which means approximately 47 wētā were eaten in a single night's foraging. This hedgehog was found while research was being done in the upper Waitaki basin area. They were looking into the diets of hedgehogs and the implications for conservation.

In the same study, 22% of hedgehogs were found to have wētā remains in their stomachs.

5. Hedgehogs often eat 160g of invertebrates per day

To put that into context, that could be up to 53 Auckland tree wētā given they weigh between 3 - 7g.

Auckland tree wētā sitting on a leaf. Photo Credit @ James O'Hanlon

6. Hedgehogs eat more than slugs and snails

They eat a varied diet that can include frogs, mice, lizards, skinks, eggs and chicks.

In a 2005 New Zealand study, three times as many adult female hedgehogs had lizard remnants in their stomachs compared with adult males. This may be linked to the high energy demands of females during breeding season.

Hedgehog eating an egg. Photo @ Experience Pūrangi.

7. Hedgehogs prey on chicks up to the size of two week old chickens

For ground-nesting birds like banded dotterel, hedgehogs are a major threat. They eat their eggs and kill the chicks.

In the MacKenzie Basin, hedgehogs are responsible for one in five predator attacks on nests.

Did you already know these hedgehog facts? Did any surprise you?

Related links

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7 surprising facts about hedgehogs - Predator Free NZ

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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 have on our native species is only just being understood. For a long time they were seen as innocuous garden inhabitants, but with more research the picture is becoming clear.

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Keeping your dog on a lead can help keep our manu/bird mates like penguins and kiwi safe. Make a bandana for your dog that helps spreads the message.

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There are six penguins that make their home on around NZ coasts: the yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho), little blue penguin (kororā), and Fiordland crested (tawaki), Snares crested (pictured here), rockhopper and erect-crested. In big numbers, or small, there will be penguins living somewhere close-by to you - you just might not know about them yet.

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There are six penguins that make their home on around NZ coasts: the yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho), little blue penguin (kororā), and Fiordland crested (tawaki), Snares crested (pictured here), rockhopper and erect-crested. In big numbers, or small, there will be penguins living somewhere close-by to you - you just might not know about them yet.

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Could weka be a key to helping deal with NZ's pest problem? A new study shows weka eat rodents, rabbits and even stoats, helping to suppress population numbers and protect other wildlife.

Lead author of the study and post-doctoral researcher for Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Dr Jo Carpenter, told Midday Report: "We were interested in whether weka could be able to help New Zealand out in controlling these invasive mammalian pests".

Those involved reviewed scientific studies to find out about what weka ate to see if they had eaten invasive mammals.

"What we found was yes, there are quite a few studies that have found weka eating rodents, rats and mice and also quite commonly rabbits but also even stoats as well, which is pretty phenomenal."

Historically, Māori introduced weka to offshore islands where they had not existed, as a form of rat control.

"Now, across New Zealand, we still have weka on those islands from those historic introductions."

Weka might be best at suppressing mice, Carpenter said.

"That's because when mice occur without rats or other mammalian predators they can become really hyper abundant... and that often happens in ecosanctuaries... so we wondered whether in those situations ... whether weka could be quite helpful at just providing a bit of extra pressure on that population."

However, weka were "indiscriminate eaters", Carpenter said.

"They definitely have been implicated in eating some of our native, threatened fauna, and in particular, people are often concerned about lizards which have quite slow population growth strategies, and also ground nesting birds like takahē or kākāpō - those kind of species that don't fly, their nests are vulnerable to weka.

"But what our study found was that even though weka have been recorded eating these species sometimes, we don't have good evidence yet to say they cause declines in the species, we really think more research should be done to properly understand if some of these species could withstand a little bit of weka predation.

"Historically, weka were across pretty much the whole of the New Zealand mainland and they were eating species and eating fruits and carrying out all sorts of important ecosystem processes and it's just about recognising that and hopefully looking to the future that weka can be part of restoration projects."

Related stories:

Dead rats and cameras lure last wily stoats in Perth Valley

Award for using DNA to better understand plants & animals

Wilding pines battle ramps up in Marlborough

'Millions upon millions' of rabbits wreak havoc on Otago Peninsula

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Weka could be the key to solve NZ's pest problems

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The cheeky weka could be the key to solving New Zealand's pest problem. A new study shows that weka often eat rodents, rabbits and even stoats, helping to suppress population numbers and protect other wildlife. The lead author, Dr Jo Carpenter, is a post-doctoral researcher for Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, and she explained to Māni Dunlop how this new information could help conservation efforts.

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More details and context here: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2984-pest-free-tawa-case-study

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Find out how the Cacophony Project are developing awesome tech to help win the battle against NZ's animal pests.

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The birds have always talked to us. This is a new way to listen

As soon as people arrived in New Zealand, they recognised the importance of our birds. Māori beliefs about birdsong were passed down for centuries. The placement of a kāreke cry foretold your future. Kōmiromiro brought good news; piopio bad. The song of the riroriro signalled when to plant crops, and the tōrea's cry told you when to dig for shellfish. The matuku mourned the dead.

When James Cook first sailed the Endeavour to New Zealand, his botanist, Joseph Banks, kept a journal. Anchored in Charlotte Sound:

"This morn I was awakd by the singing of the birds ashore... The numbers of them were certainly very great who seemd to strain their throats. Their voices were certainly the most melodious wild musick I have ever heard...the most tuneable silver sound imaginable."

But people don't just listen to birds. We hunted them, and introduced pests like rats, stoats, possums and cats. The birds that we loved hearing made easy prey.

In recent decades, conservation has made a huge difference. Trapping, poison, hunting, and fences have all been turned against the pests. Bird sanctuaries all over New Zealand are attempting to bring the music back. (The book 'Paradise Saved' tells this remarkable story.)

We're trying a lot of different thing to help our birds out. To restore the "wild musick" that once woke up Joseph Banks, we need to know which efforts work best. The Cacophony Project will let the birds tell us.

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As soon as people arrived in New Zealand, they recognised the importance of our birds. Māori beliefs about birdsong were passed down for centuries. The placement of a kāreke cry foretold your future. Kōmiromiro brought good news; piopio bad. The song of the riroriro signalled when to plant crops, and the tōrea's cry told you when to dig for shellfish.

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We want you to get behind pest control, but safety first! A trapping tunnel is a box you put your rat trap inside, to protect you, young members of your family, and your pets.

These instructions come from Predator Free Mt. Cook & Newtown (Wellington) and the photos from DOC.

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We want you to get behind pest control, but safety first! A trapping tunnel is a box you put your rat trap inside, to protect you, young members of your family, and your pets. These instructions come from Predator Free Mt. Cook & Newtown (Wellington) and the photos from DOC.

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We've got lots of great activities to help get kids interested in restoring New Zealand's native species.

Before getting started, it's important to understand New Zealand's unique ecological context, the reasons we need to make Aotearoa predator free, and the crucial role children play in this vision.

Make sure children and anyone who is teaching this content know about these predator free fundamentals below.

1. Our wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth

About 85 million years ago, New Zealand split away from Gondwana land. On this land mass, in relative isolation, plants and animals developed away from the threat of mammalian predators (possums, stoats, ferrets, weasels and cats). As a result many of our birds nest and/or fledge on the ground and some don't fly at all. This makes them very susceptible to predation by predators.

This isolation means many of our birds, bats, insects and frogs are found no where else on Earth, it's unique and special to Aotearoa.

2. The real reason for making NZ predator free

It's extremely important to explain to our kids the reason why we are undertaking this challenge. We aren't doing this because we enjoy removing introduced mammals such as possums, stoats, ferrets, weasels, cats and hedgehogs. Our vision is to remove predators to help give our native species an environment where they can thrive again.

Our ancestors introduced these mammalian predators many years ago and the environment in New Zealand has allowed their to thrive, as a result many of native species are in serious trouble. Our native birds, bats, reptiles and insects are in decline. Did you know we have the highest rate of threatened species in the world? Around 81% of our birds, 88% of our reptiles and 72% of our freshwater fish are currently endangered.

While we have good reasons for wanting to remove introduced predators it is essential we do this with respect for all living animals and we use tools that are as humane and effective as possible. As well as removing introduced predators, monitoring our native species and restoring and protecting their habitats are other ways children can help.

3. Why it is important for children to be involved

We believe it's important to teach our tamariki about how precious our native species are so they value what we have and are invested in protecting them in the future.

Just like how recycling and being sun smart are becoming second-nature to our children's generation, we want predator free activities to become the same.

4. OK, let's get started

If you are a parent/caregiver or guardian

We suggest you start trapping in your backyard with your kids, this has has loads of benefits. It can help get rid of rats from your compost bin, save your roses and fruit trees from possums, but most importantly it can make your garden a safe place for our unique native wildlife to live.

Also, check out our Wildeyes website. It's packed with heaps of nature activities that you may enjoying doing with your kids.

If you are a teacher in NZ

A great way to get started is by reading our School Guidelines which outlines the 4 steps you should take when starting predator control activities in your schoolyard. We have also collated loads of useful resources for you to use, if you know of any others you think we should add, please email us.

Lesson plans - we have a kete packed with useful environmental resources for teachers including specific predator control lesson plans for years 4 - 8.

Introduced predator facts - useful information about introduced predators including possums, stoats, ferrets, weasels and rats.

Native bird facts - quickly find facts on our unique native birds and the introduced predators that impact them.

Slideshows & videos - a collection of videos and slideshows to share with your class about NZ's wildlife, including a video on why we need to make NZ predator free and footage showing the impact predators have on our native species.

Hands on activities - including planning and implementing restoration projects, making chew cards, tracking tunnels, houses for animals and footprint mysteries to solve.

Related books to read - a collection of beautiful picture books and novels about NZ's unique native species - all could can be read alone or read out loud.

Games & quizzes - cards to trade and collect, online quizzes and other fun games to engage tamariki in saving our native species.

Find many more resources in our Kids & Schools toolkit - it's jam packed with great information.

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We've got lots of great activities to help get kids interested in restoring New Zealand's native species. Before getting started, it's important to understand New Zealand's unique ecological context, the reasons we need to make Aotearoa predator free, and the crucial role children play in this vision.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We've got lots of great activities to help get kids interested in restoring New Zealand's native species.

Before getting started, it's important to understand New Zealand's unique ecological context, the reasons we need to make Aotearoa predator free, and the crucial role children play in this vision.

Make sure children and anyone who is teaching this content know about these predator free fundamentals below.

1. Our wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth

About 85 million years ago, New Zealand split away from Gondwana land. On this land mass, in relative isolation, plants and animals developed away from the threat of mammalian predators (possums, stoats, ferrets, weasels and cats). As a result many of our birds nest and/or fledge on the ground and some don't fly at all. This makes them very susceptible to predation by predators.

This isolation means many of our birds, bats, insects and frogs are found no where else on Earth, it's unique and special to Aotearoa.

2. The real reason for making NZ predator free

It's extremely important to explain to our kids the reason why we are undertaking this challenge. We aren't doing this because we enjoy removing introduced mammals such as possums, stoats, ferrets, weasels, cats and hedgehogs. Our vision is to remove predators to help give our native species an environment where they can thrive again.

Our ancestors introduced these mammalian predators many years ago and the environment in New Zealand has allowed their to thrive, as a result many of native species are in serious trouble. Our native birds, bats, reptiles and insects are in decline. Did you know we have the highest rate of threatened species in the world? Around 81% of our birds, 88% of our reptiles and 72% of our freshwater fish are currently endangered.

While we have good reasons for wanting to remove introduced predators it is essential we do this with respect for all living animals and we use tools that are as humane and effective as possible. As well as removing introduced predators, monitoring our native species and restoring and protecting their habitats are other ways children can help.

3. Why it is important for children to be involved

We believe it's important to teach our tamariki about how precious our native species are so they value what we have and are invested in protecting them in the future.

Just like how recycling and being sun smart are becoming second-nature to our children's generation, we want predator free activities to become the same.

4. OK, let's get started

If you are a parent/caregiver or guardian

We suggest you start trapping in your backyard with your kids, this has has loads of benefits. It can help get rid of rats from your compost bin, save your roses and fruit trees from possums, but most importantly it can make your garden a safe place for our unique native wildlife to live.

Also, check out our Wildeyes website. It's packed with heaps of nature activities that you may enjoying doing with your kids.

If you are a teacher in NZ

A great way to get started is by reading our School Guidelines which outlines the 4 steps you should take when starting predator control activities in your schoolyard. We have also collated loads of useful resources for you to use, if you know of any others you think we should add, please email us.

Lesson plans - we have a kete packed with useful environmental resources for teachers including specific predator control lesson plans for years 4 - 8.

Introduced predator facts - useful information about introduced predators including possums, stoats, ferrets, weasels and rats.

Native bird facts - quickly find facts on our unique native birds and the introduced predators that impact them.

Slideshows & videos - a collection of videos and slideshows to share with your class about NZ's wildlife, including a video on why we need to make NZ predator free and footage showing the impact predators have on our native species.

Hands on activities - including planning and implementing restoration projects, making chew cards, tracking tunnels, houses for animals and footprint mysteries to solve.

Related books to read - a collection of beautiful picture books and novels about NZ's unique native species - all could can be read alone or read out loud.

Games & quizzes - cards to trade and collect, online quizzes and other fun games to engage tamariki in saving our native species.

Find many more resources in our Kids & Schools toolkit - it's jam packed with great information.

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We've got lots of great activities to help get kids interested in restoring New Zealand's native species. Before getting started, it's important to understand New Zealand's unique ecological context, the reasons we need to make Aotearoa predator free, and the crucial role children play in this vision.

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Predator Free Bay of Plenty education resource

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Predator Free Bay of Plenty education resource

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Why do we use 1080 in New Zealand? How does 1080 work? What impact does 1080 have on the environment? Find the robust scientific based answers to these and more questions at 1080: The Facts.

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Online Nature Classroom | Kids Greening Taupo

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Online Nature Classroom | Kids Greening Taupo

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Information, stories, video and activities for exploring the topic: Aotearoa and Conservation

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Mixing technology, conservation and education has proved popular for students at Omata School, Auroa School and citizen scientists from around the world. All these people are helping to identify predators in Egmont National Park and the Kaitake Range using open source technology. Called Zooniverse, the platform already has over 5,000 images from 36 sensor cameras loaded. Recently, more were uploaded specifically from our mounga.

Stuart Bennett, Deputy Principal of Omata School says being amateur sleuths has helped grab the pupils' attention on a serious problem.

"Students seem to like the detective work needed to identify the pests, that's the appeal," he says. "It's also the curiosity and wonderment which comes out as well."

Tim Sjoberg, Taranaki Mounga Biodiversity Coordinator, says the identifications are providing valuable data on the types of predators that are present and where.

"It enables our team to strategically place traps in areas of larger infestation. In addition, it will provide good data on these predators, both pre and post aerial predator control operations," he says.

More cameras are planned for Ngā Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands and other locations in the national park.

Want to participate? Check out our how-to video starring Omata School students.

Click here to go straight to our Taranaki Mounga Zooniverse project.

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Virtual support from our citizen scientists

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Mixing technology, conservation and education has proved popular for students at Omata School, Auroa School and citizen scientists from around the world. All these people are helping to identify predators in Egmont National Park and the Kaitake Range using open source technology. Called Zooniverse, the platform already has over 5,000 images from 36 sensor cameras loaded.

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Find out about a community-led wasp control project in the Nelson-Tasman region.

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A community-ed wasp control project was launched today, aimed at significantly reducing German and common wasp populations in the Nelson-Tasman region this summer. The Nelson mail has worked with wasp experts to identify the problem and work out what can be done. Victoria University insect ecologist Professor Phil Lester explains.

See terms of use.

Recent stories from Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan

Podcast (MP3) Oggcast (Vorbis)

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A community-ed wasp control project was launched today, aimed at significantly reducing German and common wasp populations in the Nelson-Tasman region this summer. The Nelson mail has worked with wasp experts to identify the problem and work out what can be done. Victoria University insect ecologist Professor Phil Lester explains.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A community-ed wasp control project was launched today, aimed at significantly reducing German and common wasp populations in the Nelson-Tasman region this summer. The Nelson mail has worked with wasp experts to identify the problem and work out what can be done. Victoria University insect ecologist Professor Phil Lester explains.

See terms of use.

Recent stories from Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan

Podcast (MP3) Oggcast (Vorbis)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A community-ed wasp control project was launched today, aimed at significantly reducing German and common wasp populations in the Nelson-Tasman region this summer. The Nelson mail has worked with wasp experts to identify the problem and work out what can be done. Victoria University insect ecologist Professor Phil Lester explains.

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A library with a difference will be set up in Havelock to help wipe out predator pests.

The Havelock Bird Song - Waiata Manu group wants to help make the town predator free by starting a trap library.

Residents can borrow traps and record catches for inclusion in a national database.

Member Sandra Currie says making sure the township is predator free by 2050 is the group's long-term goal.

"The aim of our group is to create a predator free township in which our native species can flourish and so we all get to see and hear more native birds and bird song," she says.

When Sandra moved from Pelorus to Havelock two years ago, she was struck by the lack of bird song.

Determined to do something about it, she canvassed residents and set up the group.

They plan to start targeting rats before moving on to other species such as possums, stoats, weasels and ferrets.

Havelock Menzshed are making 100 traps in total to get the lending library underway, with 35 ready to go.

Sandra says that ultimately the group would like to see monitored traps all along the estuary and the marina and in the Lawrence St hillside area.

But practice needs to come first, she says.

"To achieve this, we need to get very good at what we are doing, and we need to get as much community support as we can.

"By starting small we hope to get a lot of local residents involved and are really in need of more support.

"This is something I'm passionate about and we're excited to get started.

"I'm really looking forward to it and want to get people and interested and want to get people to help," she says.

The initiative is being supported by The Havelock Lions Club who donated $400 which will be put towards traps and tunnels.

Charitable community support group Havelock 20/20 will oversee administration for the pilot project.

Volunteers are on hand to empty traps if needed.

To borrow a trap contact [email protected] or call 027 229 2486.

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A library with a difference will be set up in Havelock to help wipe out predator pests. The Havelock Bird Song - Waiata Manu group wants to help make the town predator free by starting a trap library. Residents can borrow traps and record catches for inclusion in a national database.

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The purpose of this unit is to engage the student in carrying out the steps of a statistical investigation in a context from the science learning area; predator control.

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Introductory session

Explain to the class that the Department of Conservation is working to make New Zealand 'predator free' by 2050. Use questions like those below to discuss this.

What is meant by 'predator free'?

What data might this decision be based on?

How can they measure their effectiveness?

How can we (at school, at home, around the community) assist in achieving this goal?

What variables might have been measured to suggest the need for the 'predator free by 2050' pledge?

What are the variables should be measured to recognise the success of the goal to be predator free?

What data collection methods can the Department of Conservation use to count wildlife and predator populations over the next 30 years?

Record the key points from discussion in an appropriate format (e.g shared digital document, mind map, on sticky notes). You might need to address specific statistical concepts (e.g. what is a variable?) or provide time for students to research the information needed to answer these questions.
Activity

1. Explain to students: A local bird sanctuary is protected from predators by good fencing and a trapping project run by volunteers. A record is kept of all the predators caught in the traps and when the traps are sprung (by a predator that 'got away').

2. Display the graph of the data for the first five years of the trapping programme (shown below) and discuss, using the following points:

Building ideas
Show students the following table. This presents the raw data (number of animals caught per calendar year) from a local bird sanctuary's predator trap programme.

Discuss and explore, using the following prompts:

If a trap has been sprung, we can assume that a predator was present but cannot count it as caught. Why not?

Find the total number of predators caught in traps each year.

Graph the total number of predators caught in traps each year.

Comment on the overall trend of the total number of predator's caught in in traps each year.

Reinforcing ideas

1. Explain to students: In the year following the poison drop, the bird sanctuary decided to further reduce the rat population with better management of visitor behaviour. They did this by banning food consumption within the predator controlled area and removing the rubbish bins (as they were no longer needed).

2. Show students the data below. Ask them to comment on the effectiveness of the management of visitor food and rubbish.

Extending ideas
Show students the graph below. This displays data from a local bird sanctuary's predator trap programme, grouped by year.

Discuss, using the following prompts:

How is the effectiveness of the poison drop early in 2016 shown in the graph?

Initially, possum hunters were contracted to manage the numbers of possums. This contract was cancelled for various reasons. Suggest when the hunters' contract was cancelled. Support your suggestion with evidence from the graph.

Describe the overall trend in trapping success shown in this graph.

Which type of predator is the most prevalent in the traps?

In early 2016, the bird sanctuary operated a poison drop as well as the trapping programme. Use the data below to comment on the effectiveness of the the poison drop in terms of predator control.

Does the data tell you how many predators are present in the bird sanctuary?

The graph shown above has the data grouped by trap contents. Why is this a useful choice of grouping?

If the data was grouped by year, what trends/patterns would be more obvious to see?

Activity
Explain to students: A year 8 class has been taking part in a 'predator free' programme. It has made 12 traps from plastic milk bottles and set these up around the school grounds. Over one week, the class have caught the following predators:

Discuss: What conclusions can you draw about the predators around the school grounds from these data?
Building ideas

1. Have students look at the data collected by the year 8 class over the week of predator trapping. The data in this table are grouped by trap results, including predator type, over time.

2. Tell students that a line graph, with a differently coloured line for each row in the table is a suitable method of graphing. You might explore some different line graphs to come up with a conclusion as to why this is.

3. Have students construct a line graph using the data recorded in the table. Consider what grouping is appropriate and the level of modelling and structured guidance needed. Provide time for students to share their graphs with their peers, compare any differences, and revise their graphs in reflection of these differences.

4. Describe the trends shown by the lines in the graphs. You may like to use terms such as; increasing, decreasing, constant, fluctuating, no clear trend.

Reinforcing ideas

1. As a class, look at the data collected by the year 8 class over the week of predator trapping.
To show the trend of predator numbers over time, which type of graphs are the most appropriate for these data?

2. Graph the data in the table.

3. Describe the trends shown in your table. You may like to use terms such as; increasing, decreasing, constant, fluctuating, no clear trend.

Extending ideas
Look at the data collected by the year 8 class over the week of predator trapping. Consider, using the following points:

Does the table format show the trends in the data?

What is the daily count total? Why?

Tell students: to show the total count for each day, with the trapped predator, missed predator and inactive traps separated, a stacked column graph could be used. Have them graph the data in this way and then describe the trends shown in their tables. Terms such as increasing, decreasing, constant, fluctuating, no clear trend might be used.
Activity
Explain to the class: The year 8 class has been taking part in a 'predator free' programme wanted to know if they were effective in reducing the number of wildlife predators around the school. They have been collecting data on the activity in their 12 tunnel shaped predator traps. The students want to find out more about any predators that had not been caught in the traps. They have prepared ink pads and plain cards for the entrance to each of the trap tunnels. The predators entering the tunnels will get ink on their paws/feet as they enter the tunnel and will leave a footprint record of their visit.
Can you suggest a method of recording the footprint data along with the existing method of recording the trap data? Consider:
Building ideas
Have students consider the footprint cards in front of the traps, and decide which of the following are valid statements, with appropriate justification.
Reinforcing ideas
Tell students: After a week of using the footprint cards, the class recorded the following data:

Present them with the following task:
Extending ideas
Explain to the class: After a week of using the footprint cards, the class recorded the following data:

Pose the following tasks:

Can you complete the section 'visited but not trapped'?

What percentage of each type of wildlife predator has been successfully caught in the trap it enters?

Can the class use this information to estimate the wildlife predator population in the area?

How can the class use this information to improve their traps?

How can the class use this information to evaluate the effectiveness of their 12 traps over time?

The footprint record can be used to count how many wildlife predators visit the traps.

The footprint record will show how many wildlife predators are in the area.

The footprint cards could be used to identify the predators that are springing the traps and escaping.

Different species will leave a different coloured footprint.

The footprint cards will help the class work out which are the most prevalent species of predator.

Activity

1. Tell the students: Before the year 8 class implemented a 'predator free' programme, it took part in Landcare New Zealand's garden bird survey. The class were interested to learn that over the past ten years in their area, there has been an 11% increase in the tui count but a 13% decline in the fantail count and a 27% decline in the kereru count.

2. Together, show this information on a suitable chart, diagram or graph.

3. Discuss, using the following prompts:

Building ideas

1. Tell students: In the same region, some species of bird have shown an increase in population while others have shown a decrease.

2. Have them suggest how this might affect the population for each of the following factors. They should explain their suggestions where possible.

Reinforcing ideas
Provide time for students to find out about the trends in population of the birds in their region as measured in the Landcare Research New Zealand garden bird survey. They should consider how the native bird counts trending compare with the introduced species, and should show the information on a suitable chart.
Extending ideas

1. Tell students: Predators such as rats and mice, possum and cats are not the only threats to native bird populations.

2. Pose the following tasks:

Reducing predator numbers.

Reducing food supply.

Reducing predator numbers and reducing food supply.

An increase in the populations of other species of birds.

Decreasing available habitat (e.g. clearing bush and building more houses)

How will the class distinguish between different species visiting the same trap?

Is it possible for the class know how many of the same species have visited the same trap?

Activity
Tell students: To measure the effectiveness of their predator traps on the bird population at their school, the year 8 class have taken a bird count for one day each month, over a period of five months. The results are as follows:

As a class, construct a suitable graph so that:

a sense of a time series trend is shown,

the total number of these three types of bird sighted at each survey is shown,

the count for each species is also shown.

Building ideas
Tell the students: the class wanted to compare the one day bird surveys with the monthly total predator catch numbers from their trapping programme. The results are shown below:

Have students complete the following tasks:

How many traps are accounted for each day?

What might be in the 'other' category? Would it be useful to list these by name?

What precautions will the class need to have taken to run this programme safely?

Reinforcing ideas
Tell the students: the class wanted to compare the one day bird surveys with the monthly total predator catch numbers from their trapping programme. The results are shown below:

1. Draw attention to the fact that the class collected data on the tui, fantail and kereru sightings over just one school day, and the predator catch over a full month.

2. Have students find a suitable way of graphing these data to identify the trends in bird (sightings) and predator (catch) numbers.

Extending ideas
Have students evaluate the reliability of the data collected by the class. The data on bird populations and predator catch numbers was recorded over a period of five months. They should consider the following:

Session 2

This session focuses on comparing the distribution of predators over time from a graph display.

Model analysis of the data and creation of a graph, as necessary in response to the needs of your class.

Session 3

This session focuses on communicating findings from a statistical investigation, using appropriate displays.

Session 4

This sessions focuses on gathering a range of data to support a more informed predator survey.

Session 5

This session focuses on communicating findings using suitable displays.

Session 6

This session focuses on communicating findings using suitable displays.

Discuss, using the following prompts:

*note that this total is of the three species counted and not of all birds present that day.

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Explain to the class that the Department of Conservation is working to make New Zealand 'predator free' by 2050. Use questions like those below to discuss this. What is meant by 'predator free'? What data might this decision be based on? How can they measure their effectiveness?

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Words like conservation and ecosystem used to make Jesse Mulligan's eyes glaze over. Now he's on a mission to rid New Zealand of rats and has some handy hints on how to get involved.
Why am I reading about rats?

Because you have rats in your backyard. Every night when you close the backdoor and retreat inside, big swollen rats wander over your lawn and eat whatever seeds, insects and birds they come across. They climb fences and trees, dive into ponds and burrow into woodpiles, devouring any protein they can find. They've been doing it for a couple of hundred years now and, because of this, New Zealand has one of the worst extinction rates of any country on the planet.
We don't have any rats at my place.
Yes, you have rats. Ask John Innes, who's one of our national experts on the topic. If a rat is doing its job, says John, you'll never know it's there. In fact we didn't quite realise the damage they were doing to our birdlife until motion sensor nightvision cameras were invented in the 1990s and we suddenly saw with our own eyes what was happening each night when the sun went down.
If things are so bad why haven't I heard about it?
That's what I asked when I found out about this. Thing is, anybody who knows anything is desperately worried about the impact of rats on our ecosystem, and is telling everybody they know. But it's not leading the news at 6pm every night, because it's chronic and continuous. Chronic, continuous problems don't work well in the media.
Sorry, you just used the word "ecosystem". I think I might have dropped off to sleep for a few seconds.
I know. I was just like you. All these words - ecosystem, conservation, environmentalism - they're all massive yawn-jobs. Here's the simplest way I can put it: because we've been separated from the world for so many millions of years, New Zealand has some of the most interesting, weird and important living species on the planet. But the rats are eating all of them and soon our country will be a barren wasteland.
What can I do?
I'm glad you asked.
Actually I didn't ask that. I think you just put it in the FAQ to try and help the narrative along.
Sorry, a lot of people have worked out that things aren't going to change unless they pitch in. It took me 40 years to realise it, and I can't be cross with you if you haven't got there yet. There are some interesting rat facts requiring no commitment from you coming up later in this article - just give me a second while I offer some practical advice to the amazing New Zealanders who've decided to play their part.
So what can I do?
Great question! Buy a rat trap and put it in your backyard. If you put some good bait in it, you will catch a rat. And every rat killed is one less mouth to feed with our beautiful and taxonomically significant native animals and plants.
What sort of trap would you suggest?
This is where I get really helpful. Pour yourself another glass of wine and read through my essential guide to rat killing devices available in New Zealand:

Poison: the more poison we leave out, the more we breed rats who don't respond to poison. There's a simple genetic reason for this - the ones with natural resistance survive and breed more resistant babies - but even the short term reasons not to use poison are compelling. It's a horrible way for the rat to die - slowly, desperately and often fragrantly - and it's also dangerous for neighbourhood dogs and cats who, even if they can't get to the poison, may well eat the poisoned carcass.

Victor snap trap: this is a large version of what you picture when you think of a mouse trap. I've had good success with these though often the bigger Norway rats will escape the trap after impact and end up dying a few metres away. For humaneness and killing effectiveness I'd give this an 8/10. Price: $19.90

: this is a precisely engineered killing machine. You put the bait on the other side of a sort of kitchen scale device, so when the rat steps over it the weight triggers a springing mechanism which slams down over the rat with the weight of ten shipping containers. It's 10/10 for humaneness and effectiveness, plus it's comparatively cheap and you can see it working. Like the Victor, you'll want to have it housed in some sort of box so that it poses no danger for children or pets, and so the local cats don't have a go at the corpse before you get to it. Price: $80 including box.

Goodnature traps: for all their advantages, there is some clean up involved with the above traps when you're inevitably required to remove the dead rat from its steel-encased deathbed, often having to pull it by the tail from its wiry boxed enclosure. The elegantly NZ-designed Goodnature traps have no such gore, mostly because the rat is killed with a lightning fast bolt to the head. It then drops to the ground and is usually scavenged by some other animal before you even see it (I recommend buying the optional kill counter which lets you know how many times the thing has gone off, or you'll honestly have no idea). The bonus with this trap is it resets itself, making it very popular with professionals trapping in remote locations. Price: $200.

It's all starting to sound a bit hard, mate.
Put it this way, if you like to see what you've killed, you're budget conscious and you don't mind some mild clean up work, go for the DOC200. If you're not concerned about price, don't want to be checking it all the time and have an eye for design beauty, go for world-leading New Zealand start up Goodnature.
Can I just call in a pest control guy?
You could, but he'll just use a high strength poison, which is a problem for reasons already discussed. Rats in New Zealand need to be killed, but they don't need to be tortured.
Okay so I'll buy a trap. What sort of bait should I use?
Goodnature provides their own bait, some sort of chocolatey mix. But, if you're using a mechanical trap, peanut butter or peanut butter and oats seem to be a good bet. One species of rat likes carbohydrates, the other likes protein so the combo might work well. One of my radio listeners swears by Europe summer roll. By the way if you're using peanut butter go for the cheap supermarket stuff with the extra salt and sugar.
Wait, what was that about "species of rat"?
NZ has two distinct types of rat (well actually three, but there aren't many kiore left): the Norway rat and the darker, smaller ship rat. I personally seem to catch mostly Norways at home (a dozen or so over the last year in my suburban, central Auckland backyard), but it seems to vary around the country. The Norways are much bigger, and more likely to slip the lightweight Victor traps due to their sheer mass. The ship rats are great climbers, but the Norways can swim. So between them, they're not good news for any native creature trying to escape.
Wow, are we still talking about rats? I feel like I've been reading this FAQ for months now.
I'm sorry. I've ended up unreasonably fascinated with rats and how to kill them. In my defence, I reckon that if you buy a trap, set it properly and start to kill a few, you'll begin to feel the same way.
Isn't it a bit sick, putting this much energy into killing something?
I hear you. It's not the rat's fault it's a rat. But it's come to the wrong country. Our birds, insects and plants spent millions of years evolving to survive local threats, but they stand no chance against a predatory mammal they haven't had five minutes to prepare for. When it comes to survival, it's the rats or everything else. Time for you to decide which side you're on.

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Words like conservation and ecosystem used to make Jesse Mulligan's eyes glaze over. Now he's on a mission to rid New Zealand of rats and has some handy hints on how to get involved. Why am I reading about rats? Because you have rats in your backyard.

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A useful article to read before you embark on a school predator trapping programme, with links to the resources for schools on the Predator Free NZ website.

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We've created a guide to help create school environments where our unique native species can thrive.

Before getting started, it's important to understand New Zealand's unique ecological context, the reasons we need to make Aotearoa predator free and the crucial role children play in this vision. Make sure children and anyone who is teaching this content know about our predator free fundamentals outlined in the Get Involved section.

A couple of things to consider:

Teach respect of all animals - we encourage schools and their students to be respectful of all animals, including the introduced predators you are removing.

Allow kids to opt-in - it's important to recognise that some children may not want to be involved in some aspects of predator control eg trapping. Give them the option.

1. IDENTIFY your goal

The first step in any introduced predator control program should be defining a goal or purpose.

Try making a clear statement of what you want your classroom to achieve; do they want to see more native birds nesting in your trees on the school grounds? Get rid of the rat from the school compost bin? Save the fruit trees in the school garden from the possums? Or encourage lizards to live in your grounds? Each goal will be unique to the area you and your children are trapping in.

Once you know what you and your class want to achieve, then consider which introduced predators you need to control so you can choose the best method for that predator.

How will you know if you have been successful in your efforts? It may be that the number of target predator species have decreased since you started your control, there's lots more fruit on your fruit trees, there's more native wildlife present and/or more native plant growth.

2. IDENTIFY what lives at your school

It may seem like a silly statement but it's important to know what's currently living around your school so you can measure the change over time. You should aim to find out what species you want to protect and which ones you want to remove.

Below are some useful resources to help you do this:

An Inquiry unit | Outdoor activity | Levels: 1-4: Use this resource to investigate introduced predators in your school grounds or another local green space.

Teacher Guide for years 4 - 8 which explores the impact people and introduced predators have had on the unique wildlife of Aotearoa NZ.

Discover what's in your playground resources for ways to get kids involved - it includes the use of chewcards, tracking tunnels and Garden Bird Surveys, Great Kereru Count etc.

3. TRAP - use traps/devices that are humane

You will need different traps depending on what introduced predators you have identified on your school grounds. All the traps we recommend have passed NZ humane standards. Give your students the opportunity to opt-in to a trapping group and lead the trapping plan. The places where predators chewed the chew cards are the best places to put the traps.

Zealandia have developed a useful Risk Analysis and Management Guide for your trapping and tracking programme.

Rats are the most commonly found introduced predator on school grounds. We suggest using the Victor Pro Rat Trap or a T-Rex Rat Trap in a wooden tunnel box.

If you want to know about trapping other target species, like stoats or possums, check out our Trapping Best Practice guide.

4. RECORD what you are doing

It's important to record what you are doing so you have information to refer back to if you decide to change how you do things. It's also useful for monitoring your trapping progress.

Good record-keeping will also help your school year group pass on information of your predator control efforts over to future students to replicate.

We suggest you use this trapping data recording form or create your own to record the following:

What equipment you are using e.g. Victor Professional rat trap

Where you've placed your equipment

How often you check, clear and reset/rebait your equipment

What lures/baits you are using.

If any of this changes through a season or year, record when, how and why.

If your classroom is also involved in restoration or planting on the school grounds, taking photos over time is a great way to record any changes. If you are trapping to support new growth on existing plants or to protect a planting programme in your school grounds, it's a good idea to take a photo before you start trapping and a series of photos periodically afterwards.

5. MEASURE results

It is important to take measurements regularly to see if your program is achieving its goal or not. Define how you will measure your success early on.

As well as counting the number of predators caught, it is important to know how many are left at the end of your predator control efforts.

Here are some of the ways you can do this:

Rats

Use tracking cards and tunnels before and after your control programme and record the differences

Complete regular bird counts to help monitor populations over time. You can also look out for fledged broods of fantails. Young fantails are darker than adults and will remain in a family group for several weeks. Seeing such groups is an excellent indicator of effective ship rat control.

Mustelids (stoats, ferrets & weasels)

Possums

Use chew tags or wax blocks before and after your program and record the differences.

Annual observations of possum.

Complete regular bird counts.

Monitor fruit trees for fewer bite marks

Want to do more?

Check out our School Toolkit for more information and resources. If you require anymore support, please email us.

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Predator Free School Guidelines - Predator Free NZ

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We've created a guide to help create school environments where our unique native species can thrive. Before getting started, it's important to understand New Zealand's unique ecological context, the reasons we need to make Aotearoa predator free and the crucial role children play in this vision.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We've created a guide to help create school environments where our unique native species can thrive.

Before getting started, it's important to understand New Zealand's unique ecological context, the reasons we need to make Aotearoa predator free and the crucial role children play in this vision. Make sure children and anyone who is teaching this content know about our predator free fundamentals outlined in the Get Involved section.

A couple of things to consider:

Teach respect of all animals - we encourage schools and their students to be respectful of all animals, including the introduced predators you are removing.

Allow kids to opt-in - it's important to recognise that some children may not want to be involved in some aspects of predator control eg trapping. Give them the option.

1. IDENTIFY your goal

The first step in any introduced predator control program should be defining a goal or purpose.

Try making a clear statement of what you want your classroom to achieve; do they want to see more native birds nesting in your trees on the school grounds? Get rid of the rat from the school compost bin? Save the fruit trees in the school garden from the possums? Or encourage lizards to live in your grounds? Each goal will be unique to the area you and your children are trapping in.

Once you know what you and your class want to achieve, then consider which introduced predators you need to control so you can choose the best method for that predator.

How will you know if you have been successful in your efforts? It may be that the number of target predator species have decreased since you started your control, there's lots more fruit on your fruit trees, there's more native wildlife present and/or more native plant growth.

2. IDENTIFY what lives at your school

It may seem like a silly statement but it's important to know what's currently living around your school so you can measure the change over time. You should aim to find out what species you want to protect and which ones you want to remove.

Below are some useful resources to help you do this:

An Inquiry unit | Outdoor activity | Levels: 1-4: Use this resource to investigate introduced predators in your school grounds or another local green space.

Teacher Guide for years 4 - 8 which explores the impact people and introduced predators have had on the unique wildlife of Aotearoa NZ.

Discover what's in your playground resources for ways to get kids involved - it includes the use of chewcards, tracking tunnels and Garden Bird Surveys, Great Kereru Count etc.

3. TRAP - use traps/devices that are humane

You will need different traps depending on what introduced predators you have identified on your school grounds. All the traps we recommend have passed NZ humane standards. Give your students the opportunity to opt-in to a trapping group and lead the trapping plan. The places where predators chewed the chew cards are the best places to put the traps.

Zealandia have developed a useful Risk Analysis and Management Guide for your trapping and tracking programme.

Rats are the most commonly found introduced predator on school grounds. We suggest using the Victor Pro Rat Trap or a T-Rex Rat Trap in a wooden tunnel box.

If you want to know about trapping other target species, like stoats or possums, check out our Trapping Best Practice guide.

4. RECORD what you are doing

It's important to record what you are doing so you have information to refer back to if you decide to change how you do things. It's also useful for monitoring your trapping progress.

Good record-keeping will also help your school year group pass on information of your predator control efforts over to future students to replicate.

We suggest you use this trapping data recording form or create your own to record the following:

What equipment you are using e.g. Victor Professional rat trap

Where you've placed your equipment

How often you check, clear and reset/rebait your equipment

What lures/baits you are using.

If any of this changes through a season or year, record when, how and why.

If your classroom is also involved in restoration or planting on the school grounds, taking photos over time is a great way to record any changes. If you are trapping to support new growth on existing plants or to protect a planting programme in your school grounds, it's a good idea to take a photo before you start trapping and a series of photos periodically afterwards.

5. MEASURE results

It is important to take measurements regularly to see if your program is achieving its goal or not. Define how you will measure your success early on.

As well as counting the number of predators caught, it is important to know how many are left at the end of your predator control efforts.

Here are some of the ways you can do this:

Rats

Use tracking cards and tunnels before and after your control programme and record the differences

Complete regular bird counts to help monitor populations over time. You can also look out for fledged broods of fantails. Young fantails are darker than adults and will remain in a family group for several weeks. Seeing such groups is an excellent indicator of effective ship rat control.

Mustelids (stoats, ferrets & weasels)

Possums

Use chew tags or wax blocks before and after your program and record the differences.

Annual observations of possum.

Complete regular bird counts.

Monitor fruit trees for fewer bite marks

Want to do more?

Check out our School Toolkit for more information and resources. If you require anymore support, please email us.

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Predator Free School Guidelines - Predator Free NZ

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We've created a guide to help create school environments where our unique native species can thrive. Before getting started, it's important to understand New Zealand's unique ecological context, the reasons we need to make Aotearoa predator free and the crucial role children play in this vision.

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In this recorded professional learning session, Greta Dromgool from the Science Learning Hub and Adrienne De Melo and Ben Moorhouse from the Department of Conservation share the many learning opportunities available when investigating animal and plant pests.

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In this recorded professional learning session, Greta Dromgool from the Science Learning Hub and Adrienne De Melo and Ben Moorhouse from the Department of Conservation share the many learning opportunities available when investigating animal and plant pests. To support educators in developing their knowledge and skills, they:

introduce DOC resources investigating plant and animal pests

share engaging hands-on activities

scaffold an investigation into plant and animal pests.

Love the webinars and the DOC resources.
Teacher

You may find it easier to download the video and PowerPoint presentation.

Thank you. There are some great resources here.
Participant

We encourage you to join our discussion about conservation education - register in our online forum on Slack. In this forum, we share and discuss ideas and share resources.

Index

Nature of science

Acknowledgement

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In this recorded professional learning session, Greta Dromgool from the Science Learning Hub and Adrienne De Melo and Ben Moorhouse from the Department of Conservation share the many learning opportunities available when investigating animal and plant pests. To support educators in developing their knowledge and skills, they:

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An online visual guide for identifying pest animals in New Zealand from the signs they leave in the field. Usable on mobile devices.

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This activity is designed to introduce and re-enforce ideas about the impact of introduced predators. It could also be used for plant pests, and to show the relationships between living things in a community.

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Join in volunteering, training, teaching, activities and projects, have your say on issues, and apply for permits and funding.

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The dream of a predator-free mainland is a step closer with the development of new technologies that promises to wipe out rats, stoats and possums.

See terms of use.

Recent stories from Checkpoint

Podcast (MP3) Oggcast (Vorbis)

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The dream of a predator-free mainland is a step closer with the development of new technologies that promises to wipe out rats, stoats and possums. See terms of use. Podcast (MP3) Oggcast (Vorbis)

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The drawings below show idealised footprints. Prints in the field are usually much less clear and can differ according to such factors as the ground surface (e.g. hard or soft); whether or not it has rained since the prints were made; the age, sex and size of animal; or whether the animal was walking or running. A series of footprints made by an animal as it moves is called a track.

Tracking tunnels record the footprints of smaller animals. These prints can be easier to identify but can also be a smeary mess, especially if several different species have passed through the tunnel.

If an animal or group of animals moves through an area frequently a clear path or groove can be worn on the ground and the animals' movement will keep these trails or runs clear of low branches. Many animals like to sleep or hide in fixed locations called dens. Some animals like to wallow in mud baths to cover themselves in mud.

The clue descriptions below will guide you in considering size, shape and unusual features when tracking pest animals.

Narrow your search to specific types of Footprints and Tracks:

Hooves

Paws and feet

Trails and Runs

Wallows

Dens and nests

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The drawings below show idealised footprints. Prints in the field are usually much less clear and can differ according to such factors as the ground surface (e.g. hard or soft); whether or not it has rained since the prints were made; the age, sex and size of animal; or whether the animal was walking or running.

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Which is which?  Learn about NZ animal pests

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Which is which?  Learn about NZ animal pests

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What do we mean by 'pest animal?'

The animals featured in Pest Detective have all been introduced to New Zealand either by accident or intentionally. They are regarded as pests because they threaten the health of our native ecosystems and/or primary production sector, though special management is required where people value a species for such things as hunting, agriculture or as pets > r ead more

Why are the Culprits not in alphabetical order?

The species on the group of more closely related species (e.g. mustelids) are arranged by size from small to large. culprits page are generally grouped with other species that have similar field sign. Grouping them together makes it easier to compare clues, especially the images in the Clues section. Each See more >

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The animals featured in Pest Detective have all been introduced to New Zealand either by accident or intentionally. They are regarded as pests because they threaten the health of our native ecosystems and/or primary production sector, though special management is required where people value a species for such things as hunting, agriculture or as pets > r ead more The species on the group of more closely related species (e.g.

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Chew cards are a simple tool used to help identify the presence of rats, stoats, possums and hedgehogs on your property. Download our guide on how to make your own.

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Chew cards are a simple tool used to help identify the presence of predators on your property. Learn about how to use them, download our guide on how to make your own or buy some ready made from our shop.

OPBG volunteers deploying chew cards to monitor the presence of animal pests on the Otago Peninsula

What are they used for?

Chew cards are cards filled with a lure that is attractive to predators. They can be used to identify rats, stoats, possums and hedgehogs. Animals chew the card and allow you to identify what predators are present.

Tracking tunnels or wax tags for possums can also be used. Chew cards are a useful way of identifying where predators are on your property and where to place your traps or bait stations.

When should chew cards be used?

Chew cards are an easy way to identify what predators you have and where they are active on your property. The bite marks on the card allow you to determine what animal has chewed the card so you can select the appropriate tools to target them. Places where you find activity on chews cards are often good places to place traps or bait stations.

You can use chew cards as a way to monitor the effectiveness of your predator control programme (read our monitoring page).

What's in them - do they contain toxins?

Chew cards are non-toxic and include a lure to attract introduced predators.

Depending on the brand you purchase the formula may be different. Some use a highly palatable formulation while others use a long life lures, both are in paste form and are non-toxic. If kept in a warm dry place the shelf life can be up to 12 months.

Where can I get chew cards?

You can buy packs of chew cards on our online shop or you can make your own with corflute and peanut butter - we've created a simple guide:

Where I should place them?

A chew card in the field. Image: Birdlife Centre of New Zealand.

Start by placing them in areas where you have seen evidence of introduced predators. Along a fence line, near compost or rubbish bins, at the base of trees are a good place to start.

Predators will only investigate food - and therefore a trap - in places where they feel safe, so not in an open space. For comprehensive instructions on setting up chew card lines over large land areas, see page 28 of DOC's A practical guide to trapping.

How do I install them?

Before installing them name and/or number each card so you can record individual results. Installation depends on which product you purchase. In most cases you nail or screw them to a tree or post. Instructions are generally provided with the product or check out the manufacturer's website for more detailed instructions.

If you have created your own chew cards fold in half and leave the top flap open approximately 45°. Nail 30cm above ground level.

As a general rule the suggestion is to leave chew cards out for seven days before interpreting results. We recommend you check the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Remove chew cards after you have finished.

How do I read the results?

If predators are interacting with the chew cards you will see bite marks on the card. Unique bite or tooth mark impressions on the chew card accurately indicate what predator is present.

Instructions provided with the product (or on the manufacturer's website) will help you to identify what predators you have. Or you can use Manaaki Whenua's " Guide to the interpretation of animal tooth impressions " to identify which animal has been biting.

Chew card bite marks.

What next?

Once you know what predators are present you can buy a trap and get trapping. Do some research to find the trap that best suits your budget and capability. Some people are very comfortable handling predators and others are not. For that very reason there is a variety of different trap options available on the market today. See our trapping best practice section.

If you are using chew cards to monitor the difference you are making then you should record your results so you can compare them to future results. Record information such as location and date, what activity, what weather was like. Having a record means you can see how results compare year to year.

Read our section on Tracking Cards and Tunnels

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How to use chew cards - Predator Free NZ

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Chew cards are a simple tool used to help identify the presence of rats, stoats, possums and hedgehogs on your property. Learn about how to use them, download our guide on how to make your own or buy some ready made from our shop.