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The trap is set: resetting traps snare traditional models


The trap is set: resetting traps snare traditional models


Research project comparing self-resetting predator kill traps against single action traps reveals astounding results

Wellington, New Zealand, 21 September, 2016 – A research project undertaken by a student from the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has produced staggering results when comparing the effectiveness of self-resetting predator kill traps versus traditional single-action traps currently used in most national conservation efforts.

Chantal Lillas, who is completing a Diploma of Environmental Management, conducted the research project in Taneatua Forest, Bay of Plenty, over a ten day period during August this year. With the assistance of Sam Gibson, Director of Gibson Ecology, Ms Lillas set up 25 self-resetting Goodnature A24 Rat Traps and compared their success against 25 single action Victor Professional Snap Traps. Victor traps are one of the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) best-practice single action traps and are commonly used across New Zealand.

At the completion of the ten day project, the self-resetting A24 trap had registered an impressive 120 kills, compared with only six kills for the single action Victor traps. One third of the 25 Victor traps were inoperative after the first night due to either having caught rats or having been set-off but not achieving a kill.

The A24 trap is the only predator trap in existence to self-reset up to 24 times before it needs to be reloaded by a human. It was developed by Wellington company Goodnature in collaboration with DOC to overcome the need to reset traditional traps after every kill.

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Chantal Lillis says, “The results for both traps were about the same after the first night, but then the A24 traps dominated every night following for the remainder of the trial.

“What was even more surprising, was that when we reviewed the footage from the trail cameras we’d set up, we could actually hear Kiwis calling out to each other. This was a shock to locals we spoke with who didn’t even know there were Kiwis in the area!”

Stu Barr, Founder and Director at Goodnature, says, “We firmly believe that New Zealand can be pest free and A24 traps are going to be one powerful tool in this fight. Six dead rats versus 120 dead rats is pretty compelling and is yet further validation of DOC’s decision to invest in the development of self-resetting traps.

“Our traps first remove pests from an area and then keep them under constant control so that native birds can return and bring with them birdsong. This is the future of conservation in New Zealand.”

In July the Government set the ambitious target of making New Zealand predator-free by 2050. National predator expert with DOC, Darren Peters, says this study is useful as the country puts in place a strategy to fight predators. “This project is a great example of how we can use this device to save on labour and save more species. Constant predator control is what allows threatened bird species to return to healthy numbers. The A24 is one very useful device for enabling constant control.”

ENDS


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