Predator Free Dunedin’s Halo Project traps in Mt Allan were serviced in March and revealed impressive predator-control results.
Over the course of a week, the team put in 175 hours of work to service the traps, removing a total of 2776 predators from the area. This included 831 possums and 1945 rodents. Compared to the previous service, there was a striking 63% increase in possum captures, jumping from 455 to 831.
The AT220 traps used were found to be in good condition, requiring only minimal repairs in the field.
The effectiveness of the project was further confirmed by monitoring carried out by OSPRI TBfree operations. Its surveys between December 2023 and April 2024 showed a low possum presence across the area, with an average of just 7.75% on its measurement index. The data suggests ongoing possum pressure on the edges of block, where control pressure is currently low.
Mustelid trapping network
Meanwhile, new mustelid trapping boxes for Silverstream and Maungatua have been constructed and are ready for deployment.
Predator Free Dunedin Project Lead Rhys Millar says productive discussions have taken place with Ōtākou Rūnaka, which will be assisting with the deployment and subsequent management of the trap network.
The goal is to have the traps in place and pre-lured before the start of spring, with plans to activate them in early spring.
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