Get Trapping and Learn about Introduced Predators
Get trapping!
New Zealand has lots of unique and special birds, invertebrates (bugs) and lizards. Unfortunately, many of these species are now threatened with extinction due to introduced species like possums, rats, stoats, weasels, and ferrets. Watch the video above to learn more about why predator control is needed in New Zealand.
Help our native species by trapping their introduced predators. You can help us reach the goal of being predator free in New Zealand by 2050. Click HERE to read more about this target, or watch this video.
Everything that you need to know about trapping in New Zealand is on a wonderful website run by Predator Free New Zealand. It is a fun, colourful site that has lots of easy to read information. Click HERE to go to their site, and to learn how you can get involved in backyard trapping or volunteering on a trapline. Anyone can do it! Volunteering on a trapline is a great activity to get you, and your family, outdoors regularly connecting to nature, while doing something that is helping restore our native flora and fauna. It is incredibly satisfying to know that each time you trap a predator you have saved some native birds, bugs and lizards. Get out there and give it a go!
Kids Greening Taupō work closely with Predator Free Taupō, so if you are in Taupō and are interested in trapping, please check out their website HERE. If you live elsewhere in New Zealand find your local group HERE.
You might like to download this resource put out by DOC ’A Practical Guide to Trapping’.
Before trapping you may like to do some investigating to find out what pests you have lurking around your area. We have some helpful Nature Connectors for this. Check out the links below:
If you are a keen builder, or are looking for a construction project, check out our Nature Connector about building trap boxes for plans and instructions. This is a great fundraising project. You could build and sell backyard traps! If you are part of a school or a community organisation looking for a project, you could make these for your local predator free group, or for your community trapping volunteers. The Lions Club are supporting Predator Free Taupō by making traps and their help is greatly appreciated.
If you would like more activities, please check out our Online Nature Classroom about Conservation in Aotearoa.
Quiz: Why was I Introduced? Learn about why different mammals were introduced to Aotearoa.
Here’s a predator lesson plan for teachers, including monitoring and trapping
Predator Free Webinar by Cam Speedy (45 min):
This is a great starting point for high school students and community trapping groups, offering lots of great advice to improve the efficiency of your traps: