New trap technology
Atrip to Sydney to visit Kiwi family members living there has given an insight into a shift in attitude between NZ and Australia that would rival the breaking up and drifting apart of Gondwanaland. It concerns the attitude of both countries to the native Australian marsupial, the brushtail possum.
Most New Zealanders wish the common brushtails had never been introduced here; our mild climate, tasty native bush and lack of natural predators have allowed it to thrive and wreak havoc. But for Australians, it is a loved, native marsupial. The difference for Kiwis who now live in Sydney is living with possums that enjoy full protection. Even relocating pesky possums that have moved into a roof cavity or are foraging happily in gardens and fruit trees is now illegal for city dwellers. We can admire possums’ determination and adaptability, but the sad fact is they don’t belong here. For most New Zealanders, possums are too destructive to our natural environment. Friends of the Blade and other predator control groups are trialling new technology to reduce possum numbers, alongside tried and tested trapping methods.
The Whakamārama group will be installing a new, automatic self-resetting rat and possum trap along a section of bush boundary to test its effectiveness against incursions from an untrapped area. The trap has been developed and made by New Zealand Auto Traps here in the Bay of Plenty. Early results have been impressive. The Friends of the Blade have set a goal of ‘working smarter’ against predators and hope that this new tool will get us a step closer. Anyone who is interested in joining a small and enthusiastic management group or our larger pool of equally enthusiastic predator control volunteers is very welcome to contact us for more information by emailing friendsoftheblade@gmail.com