Elimination Zones
August 2024 marked the continuation of our winter servicing across both elimination zones: Old Russell Peninsula (ORP) (covering the Okiato and Te Wahapu areas) and Tapeka (north of Wellington Street). During a complete servicing round, comprising over 2,700 traps, two catches were recorded in ORP—a ship rat and a stoat—while Tapeka had five catches: three ship rats, one weasel, and one stoat. Additionally, two mice were caught across the project area. These numbers indicate steady progress in both zones towards full predator elimination.

With predator numbers now exceptionally low in both zones, we have significantly reduced bait usage across the project. Bait is a major expense, and its effectiveness diminishes during winter when predators are less active, and rain quickly degrades the bait. When target species populations are low, baiting can largely be scaled back and we aim never to bait continuously or without a clear endpoint (when elimination is complete, we won’t need bait at all). Instead, we now implement “pulse” baiting at specific times of the year, providing a more cost-effective approach to targeting the few remaining predators.

Old Russell Peninsula Rat Catches Since the Start of the April 2023 Knock-down Phase

Tapeka Rat Catches Since the Start of the March 2024 Knock-down Phase

In August, we deployed 2,026 chew cards in ORP. These detection devices, made from corflute cards and filled with attractants like peanut butter, help us identify the presence of rats or other animals by analysing teeth marks left on the cards. If rats or possums are detected, we can respond accordingly. These low-cost devices are a crucial component of our “proof of absence” monitoring network.

Buffer Zone
In our Orongo Bay buffer zone (stretching from Moojebing Farm to Russell-Whakapara Rd and Lanes Rd), eight ship rats and four mice were caught in August. This buffer is designed to prevent rats and possums from entering the ORP elimination zone. Walkers on the Coastal Walkway may notice the increased presence of floating trap stations in mangrove areas. Believe it or not, rats venture into these intertidal zones at low tide for easy meals of crabs and worms, and we believe they are accessing our elimination zones via this route. We hope our floating mangrove stations will help stem this movement, with initial results showing two catches across ten devices in the first few weeks.

A Floating Mangrove Station in Action

Expansion Zone
We have been actively installing traps and bait stations throughout Russell township, from south of Wellington Street to the dump and the southern end of Long Beach. Most equipment is not yet active, as synchronised activation is more effective. We aim to bring this network online, officially incorporating the township into our elimination zone, in October and November. If our team has not yet contacted you about installing devices on your property, please reach out at contact@pfr.org.nz.