Community pest traps vandalised

Unfortunately community pest traps around the region have been tampered with, damaged and in some cases, destroyed.

This is disheartening as community trapping efforts play a crucial role in bringing back native birds and other wildlife to our city.

We would like to remind everyone that the traps used by community trapping groups around our city have been approved as humane by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. They are designed to cause the least amount of stress possible to the pest animal and only allow undesired species to enter. The small size of the opening of ground-based traps excludes animals larger than rats. Possum traps are placed high enough off the ground to be out of reach of dogs or children and are baited to only attract possums. Baits are all natural – no toxins or poisons are used. Cats are uninterested in the traps or bait.

Please do not interfere with traps or monitoring devices. It’s important to remember why community trapping takes place, it’s not for the sake of killing, but rather to protect our native species from introduced predators such as rats, possums, and stoats. These introduced animals can also spread diseases to humans and other animals, which is why we are attempting to break this chain and help native birds and their young fledge from the nest without being killed by predators.

Nelson City Council’s Halo programme supports more than 20 community trapping projects over about 1700 hectares (that’s equivalent to around 1700 rugby fields) with more than 3000 traps.

The majority of community trapping projects are carried out by volunteers. Nelson City Council supports these community volunteer groups by providing funds and materials to assist the purchasing of baits and traps. Each week, volunteers will visit most of these traps, walking many kilometres over rough terrain to rebait traps, remove any trapped animals and record data in a national database via Trap.NZ. This is a massive effort and without the determination of these volunteers, Whakatū Nelson is unlikely to see many native species flourish in our parks, reserves and backyards.

If you would like to join in and protect birds and other fauna in your area, you can take advantage of the Nelson Nature-subsidised predator trap scheme for your own backyard – more than 400 residents have already made use of this offer. Traps are available in a variety of types and sizes, ranging from $15 to $60. To purchase traps, Nelson residents can visit the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre by Millers Acre carpark. You can also email nelson.nature@ncc.govt.nz to find out if there is a trapping group near you or to find out more.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us protect our native animals.