Kaiko¯ura trap library joins fight against pest animals

Kaiko¯ura has a new resource to help the district become predator free.

The Kaiko¯ ura Zone Committee has backed a Department of Conservation (DOC) initiative to establish a local trap library.

The library lends out pest traps for free, to help the community contribute to the national Predator Free 2050 goal.

Pest management was essential to help prevent the spread and impact of pest animals in the region, DOC community ranger Jemima Rodden said.

The zone committee made a $10,000 grant towards the cost of purchasing traps.

The library aims to help protect native wildlife through community backyard trapping. It allows community members to try a range of traps to see which works best for them.

Rodden said there had been delays in getting the initiative under way.

‘‘Covid-19 shipping disruptions meant we have been waiting on traps for the library for a while, so it is awesome to have everything all ready to go now,’’ she said.

Community workshops will be held to help people learn how to use the traps, with the first workshop planned for next month.

Zone committee member Gina Solomon said the committee was pleased to support the initiative.

‘‘We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact it has within the community,’’ she said.

If community members had any questions about trapping and traps they would be able to ask the experts in the field directly at the workshops. ‘‘It’s especially awesome because the project also supports our action plan goals of identifying and advocating for priority areas to improve environmental outcomes as well as promoting kaitiakitanga as a responsibility for all.’’

Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.