For the past 15 months the three trusts have undertaken the piloting of a new collaborative approach towards predator control. The partnership supports additional employment with all three project areas benefitting from being serviced regularly by qualified rangers.
Each project area has its own set of unique characteristics and challenges which provides staff with lots of job variance and a chance to learn and share operational knowledge with each other.
On a recent trip to Rainy Creek near Reefton, John Caygill led rangers George Nicolas and Leonie Campbell along an existing trapline to upgrade a series of traps. The Good Nature A24 trap has been refined over the past ten years, contributing to new innovative approaches in how predators are controlled NZ.
The A24 self re-setting “Smart Trap” is paired via Bluetooth to the Good Nature smartphone App on a ranger’s phone. The app provides a notification each time the trap is triggered and records the date, time and air temperature at the time of the kill. The data enables rangers to develop a better understanding of predator behavioural patterns.
One of the significant benefits in utilising new technologies in predator control is the reduced labour cost of maintaining operational areas. The A24 trap is generally checked between three and six monthly intervals to ensure it is doing its job.
Other News:
Karamea Walking Tree, finalist for Tree of the Year NZ
This week sees the launch of Tree of the Year NZ 2024. The competition invites New Zealanders to select their favourite from a shortlist of six much loved trees spread across the country.
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Te Wāhipounamu ‘TED’ type talk
Franz Josef event highlights collective action for predator-free future.
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Coast couple launch new book
The owners of the Two Brown Dogs and a Cat boarding kennel at Kaiata have published a new book – ‘It’s not the dog we’re training.’
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West Coast students explore nature-based career opportunities
Students from Westland High, South Westland Area School, Papa Taiao Earth Care, and Te Hono O Nga Waka and John Paul II gathered at Wadeson Island Hokitika for an immersive event aimed at exploring nature-based careers.
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Paparoa predator control partnership attracts funding to preserve natural biodiversity
An effort to preserve native wildlife and habitats on the West Coast has received a significant boost through a collaboration between the Motukiekie Wilderness Trust, Paparoa Wildlife Trust and the Rainy Creek Ecological Restoration Trust.
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West Coast Business Gets Rare Aussie Visitor
Dion Arnold, the owner of White Heron Sanctuary Tours in Whataroa, recently had a delightful surprise during one of his tours when a rare Pacific Heron made an unexpected appearance.
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Future environmental leader receives DWC scholarship
Charlotte Sweney from Hokitika is one of this year’s Development West Coast (DWC) Tertiary Scholarship recipients.
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West Coast Social Enterprise Wins Top National Award At Young Enterprise Scheme Awards
Students from Papa Taiao Earthcare have been awarded The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Company of the Year for their business Trees for Change.
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Rangatahi Day Out - Nature Economy Pathways a Hit
West Coast students explored nature-based career opportunities at Dixon Park in Greymouth at an immersive event that was well received by rangatahi and community leaders.
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Okarito Plant Project
In South Westland a new business-led initiative, the Ōkārito Plant Project, is quietly making a difference.
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Critically endangered Kōtuku return to West Coast for breeding
As the Southern Hemisphere ushers in the spring season, New Zealand celebrates a natural marvel—the return of the critically endangered Kōtuku, or White Heron, to its sole breeding ground in Whataroa on the West Coast.
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Rare penguins swim 2,000km to return to the West Coast
Making a 2,000-kilometre swim from their Sub-Antarctic Convergence summer feeding grounds, the Tawaki (Fiordland Crested Penguins) have once again reached the coastal rainforests of Lake Moeraki on the West Coast for their annual breeding season.
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Protecting the Kōtuku: West Coast business’s winter war against predators
During the quiet winter months, Whataroa on the West Coast transforms into a front line against invasive pests.
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From Paddling Kayaks to Protecting Kiwis
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours’ environmental journey.
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Treetops to Traps
Collaborative conservation initiative enables West Coast visitors to give back to the local environment.
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