Predator Control & Monitoring

• Northland predator trapping guidelines
• Forest monitoring
• Tracking tunnel monitoring guidelines
• Humane kill traps
• Controlling mustelids for conservation in New Zealand
• Pig trap designs
• How to avoid kiwi while possum trapping
• Equipment suppliers
• Forms and templates for community projects
• Other links that may be useful
  
  

Northland predator trapping guidelines

These notes on how to control mustelids (stoats, ferrets and weasels) and cats were written by the NZ Landcare Trust. The notes cover where and how to set traps, what baits to use and keeping records. They were written by Helen Moodie, NZ Landcare Trust regional co-ordinator.

Download the Northland trapper notes.

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Forest monitoring

A forest monitoring assessment kit (FORMAK) has been designed for landowners, landcare groups and community groups. It is aimed at people with an interest in the condition of native forest ecosystems, but not much time available. The measurements are relatively easy to use, and require around 5 days per year for 1–2 people.

FORMAK was developed by PA Handford & Associates Ltd, with support from the Sustainable Management Fund, administered by the Ministry for the Environment. Support was also provided by the NZ Landcare Trust, QEII National Trust, and several regional and district councils. FORMAK kits are available from Peter Handford, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

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Tracking tunnel monitoring guidelines

As an example, the New Zealand Kiwi Foundation has developed a monitoring protocol to determine which animal pests are present.

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Humane kill traps

www.predatortraps.com is a website about three types of humane kill traps developed by the Department of Conservation and Philip Waddington – the DOC 150, 200 and 250. The DOC 150 and 200 target stoats, rats and hedgehogs, while the DOC 250 also kills ferrets. The site includes information about the target animals, advice on using the traps and details of where to buy them.

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Controlling mustelids for conservation in New Zealand

A 2007 presentation about controlling mustelids, by Craig Gillies, of the Department of Conservation, is available to download. It covers why stoats, ferrets and weasels are such a problem for New Zealand native species, and the most effective way to trap each of them.

Craig Gillies has written another document called Beyond Stoats: Ferrets & Kiwi, which is available to download. The document looks at the biology / ecology of Ferrets, an outline of the problem, and, management options & considerations.

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Pig trap designs

Wild pigs are a problem for kiwi – competing with them for food, destroying their habitat and eating their eggs and chicks. The QEII National Trust has advice on building and setting pig traps.

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How to avoid kiwi while possum trapping

This 2-page "How to avoid kiwi when trapping" PDF flyer explains kiwi-safe trapping techniques for possum trappers. It is created by Wendy Sporle (Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), BNZ Save the Kiwi’s national mentor for advocacy .

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Equipment suppliers

Several companies supply animal pest control and monitoring equipment:

• Pest Control Research, based in Canterbury, does research, develops technologies, supplies products and provides advice and support.
• Animal Control Products, in Wanganui, provides bait products to control a wide range of introduced vertebrate pests, including rabbits, wallabies, possums, rooks and feral ungulates. Outlets are listed on the site.
• Connovation is an Auckland-based company that supplies a range of possum and rodent control baits, traps and stations, manufactures animal repellents and monitors pests.
• MSWoodcraft
• Pest Management Services, based in Waikanae, provides online shopping for a wide range of pest control products.
• Bell-Booth, in Hamilton, supplies Pestoff pest control products.
• Philproof Pest Control, in Hamilton, sells a range of baits and bait stations, traps and trap covers, and monitoring tunnels.
• Gotcha Traps Limited sells the Black Trakka™ forest tracking and monitoring system.
• Farm suppliers also often carry animal pest and predator control products, including traps, baits and bait stations. These can be found through the Yellow Pages.
• Regional councils also supply some products, including traps and lures. Links to their websites are available from Local Government New Zealand.

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Forms and templates for community projects

The following downloadable PDF forms have been developed so projects do not have to design their own field forms. Collecting and recording field information is important so projects can review what has been done and also to provide information to funders.

• Bait station filling recording form.pdf
• Possum and rodent density monitoring - Basic form.pdf
• Tracking tunnel - Basic form.pdf
• Trapping data recording form.pdf
• Voluntary contribution records.pdf

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Other links that may be useful

The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network provides detailed information about animal pests in New Zealand.

Landcare Research has an online decision making system to help you decide what the most effecive possum control method for your needs will be. It also includes information on best practices.

Department of Conservation staff can access up-to-date best practices for animal pest and predator control from the department’s staff intranet. Talk with staff at your local Department of Conservation office or visit their website to view Standard Operating Procedures for pest and predator control best practice.

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