Dear Community Members,

As autumn settles in, we’ve had no shortage of work, with rat activity increasing due to seasonal changes. Historically, the next few months see the highest pest movement, making this a crucial time for us to intensify our efforts in reducing pest numbers.

March has been an active month for rats in Tapeka, with six ship rats and one possum caught. While this is a noticeable increase, it is likely that these are among the last remaining rats in the area. We also caught one possum which we expect may have travelled a long way to find a mate. The recently installed trail cameras are unfortunately showing a lot of wandering cats near kiwi boxes in Tapeka, one of them even with a fresh catch in their mouth. Please try and keep your cats indoors as they can negate so much of our mahi. The team is grateful to now also being supported by volunteers helping service lines.

In Russell township, we increased and adjusted our efforts and recorded 42 rat catches in March, slightly down from 44 in February (see the graph below). As mentioned, an uptick is anticipated before numbers decline as winter sets in. We are also seeing different effects of our strategy than in the other zones and are adjusting accordingly. We are delighted to have Sally from Predator Free Wellington assisting us with her two rat detection dogs, Rapu and Kimi, to help identify current hotspots. Keep an eye on our social media for more cute dog updates!

We are glad to report that no rats were caught in Te Wahapu or Ōkiato last month. We have been keeping a close eye on known hotspots in these areas, and the absence of catches is an encouraging sign that our control efforts are working.

Last month, there was an unfortunate incident in which a dog passed away after chewing open a bait station and ingesting a small amount of toxin. Following an investigation by the veterinarian, the dog’s owner and ourselves, it was determined that while the bait consumption may have contributed to the incident, it was not the primary cause of death. Despite our precautions, this incident has underscored the potential risks associated with our work. In response, we will no longer place toxins in bait stations on private properties where dogs can easily access them, unless we have explicit approval of landowners or tenants to use toxins. We appreciate your understanding and ongoing support in making our community safer for both pets and wildlife. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

Russell Landcare Trust will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, 3rd May, and we welcome everyone to attend and consider joining our Board of Trustees. The first hour will be a hands-on display of our traps and lures and provides an opportunity to mingle with members of the team and Board. The second half will be the formal AGM covering the results of 2024 and the strategy for the coming years. There will be a few speakers with fascinating topics. After that, we are happy to share an afternoon tea.

 Location: Matauwhi Bay Depot

 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Last month, multiple distressed kiwi were found on the Russell Peninsula. Due to the prolonged dry weather, kiwi have struggled to find enough food and water, sometimes venturing out during the day, which puts them at greater risk. Two unwell kiwi were safely handed over to the Department of Conservation and taken to a veterinarian and a kiwi rescue center, where they received treatment and rehydration and are seemingly on the mend. One of these even made it into the national media! Another kiwi was not so lucky as it was found deceased along the road between Okiato and Orongo Bay this week. As it will be getting darker during commute hours there may be more roadside encounters coming up. Please, slow down. If you see a kiwi that appears unwell, please contact the Department of Conservation for assistance.

Photo Credit: Dean Wright

We are giving you a heads-up that a pulse of toxin will be applied in all DOC reserves in and around the Russell Peninsula over the coming weeks. Clear signage will be posted at the entrances of each reserve to warn of potential hazards. All toxins will be placed in approved bait stations by our contractors, and detailed information about the type of toxin will be available on our signs.