DOC approves ‘inhumane’ trap for battling pests
Animal rights activists say the use of banned rodent traps on passenger ferries is unjustified.
The Conservation Department (DOC) has been issuing exemptions for Fullers Ferries to use the traps, which had been deemed inhumane.
Auckland resident Charlie MacLean said several commuters had to rescue ‘‘a very distressed pigeon’’ caught in one of the traps earlier this month.
‘‘It was posted on our community page and to the Fullers Facebook page but nothing back from Fullers sadly,’’ she said.
Animal Agenda Aotearoa coordinator Catriona MacLennan said the traps were simply too inhumane and questioned how DOC and MPI justified the use of a banned trap.
‘‘It is entirely inappropriate for DOC to grant an exemption for the use of banned traps. They appear not to take into account the pain and suffering of animals,’’ she said.
‘‘When animals are caught on the traps, they can’t free themselves from the adhesive. They become ever more desperate and, struggling to free themselves, end up tearing out patches of fur or breaking legs. They become covered in urine and defecate as they panic.’’
The use of glue board traps by the general public was banned by Animal Welfare in 2010.
Commercial operators, DOC staff, boat operators to and from pest free islands, and pest management staff at food processing premises were given a five-year phase-out period.
Glue traps were deemed to cause pain and distress to captured rodents and there were animal welfare concerns due to the length of time they may be left on the traps.
The Ministry for Primary Industries officially banned the practice in 2015, however, some exemptions remain – including on public ferries in Auckland.
Fullers Group chief executive Mike Horne said they worked closely with DOC to prevent rats from stowing away on ferries and making their way onto pest-free sanctuaries.
‘‘The use of glue boards on ferries to trap rats is part of the biosecurity system DOC manages to keep these islands free of rats and other predators.
‘‘The glue boards are used because alternative traps could pose a risk to ferry passengers, particularly children.’’
However, in some cases none of the targeted species were caught by the traps.
Fullers run a ferry service to Waiheke Island that passes the pest-free islands of Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motuihe and Motukorea/Browns Island.
Its vessels range from 17 to 41 metres in length and as per DOC recommendations, have one glue board trap every 7 metres.
DOC acting Auckland inner islands manager John Galilee said approval to use the glue boards was given but ferry staff were required to follow animal welfare guidelines – including the regular checking of glue boards and the prompt removal of animals from traps.
The Animal Welfare Act 2009 requires physical handling of animals in a manner which minimises the likelihood of unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
Despite the traps being banned, Sunday Star-Times found one listed for sale on Trade Me. The seller, based in Tauranga, said they had purchased the trap at a market and had several they needed to sell.
Trade Me policy and compliance team leader James Ryan said since being made aware of the trap, the listing had been removed and the seller warned.
‘‘While we don’t vet every listing before it goes on site, we have behind the scenes tools to flag suspicious items and a dedicated team who work 24/7 to monitor and remove anything that isn’t allowed to be listed. Very occasionally something gets onto the site that should not be there and we remove these.’’