Pest trap library opens at hall
Scheme will loan residents predator traps
Whakamaramaresidents will be able to loan a variety of pest traps from this Sunday with the opening of a Pest Trap Library to assist in combating rodents on their property and helpNewZealand reach its “big hairy audacious goal” of being predator free by 2050.
The Pest Trap Library (PTL) opens on Sunday, November 29 from3pm until 5pm, and is based on The Little River Pest Trap in the South Island, whereby the library loans locals the right type of predator control device to remove problematic pests like rats, hedgehogs, possums and stoats.
“The aim is to removemammalian pests so the birds, trees and wildlife comeback to theWhakamarama area and to further support the work volunteers do trapping on aweekly basis at The Blade and at Puketoki reserve,” says PTLco-ordinator Debra Jager.
WhakamaramaCommunityInc is a local group that has been in existence forsome years and sees initiatives such as this, along with pest
trapping— Friends of the Blade and Puketoki, working to create bike tracks in the Kaimai’s, local water quality measuring, history books and bringing local concerns to councils
attention.
Funding hascomefrom both Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s EEF fund and DoC’s CommunityFund. Urban backyard trapping programme, Predator Free BOPhas alsocomeon board with a donation of 10 rat traps to the library. Predator FreeBOPvolunteers will be at Sunday’s opening offering one free rat trap to property owners in the area.
Head along for advice, complimentary refreshments, and loan additional traps. i
The Pest Trap Library is located at Whakamarama Community Hall, 469 Whakamarama Rd.