Tīeke (saddleback) investigating CritterPic on Tiritiri Matangi
Most experts think that we won’t achieve a Predator Free New Zealand by 2050 without significant technological advances. Here are a few on the radar.
PAWS electronic tracking tunnel Continually monitors what walks or slithers through the tunnel, identifies it and sends the info to your phone of computer.
CritterPic biodiversity monitor Takes snapshots of everything that comes into the tunnel. A great way of picking up cryptic animals you might not even know are there. Early trials at Tiritiri Matangi have seen geckos, invertebrates and even inquisitive tīeke (saddlebacks) and penguins.
Long-life lures Sick of you peanut butter being eaten by invertebrates overnight rendering your trap useless until the next trapline check? Long-life lures (such as NARA) have been touted as a solution and have been on the market for a while. Research continues on what really attracts rats, possums and stoats and lasts in the environment. We look forward to ever better lures.
Poison baits No one really wants poisons in our environment but we’re not going to eliminate invasive predators by trapping alone. Work continues on more effective, species-specific baits. One such is norbormide rat poison, a safe, fast-acting bait with no risk to non target species.