With the assistance of a grant from Howick Local Board the Trap Library East Auckland is creating a network of traps around the coast and up the Mangemangeroa valley.
Our goal is to have a trap every 200 metres, a total of over 100 traps. Traps are placed on private properties to avoid theft and vandalism.
Monitoring via cameras and tracking tunnels will provide robust information on the incidence of mustelids in the urban environment.
Coverage
In conjunction with Howick College and Pest Free Howick Ward we currently have good coverage in the vicinity of the Mangemangeroa Reserve and increasing coverage up the valley and along Point View Drive. Bucklands Beach peninsula also has good coverage at the base and near Musick Point / Te Naupata.
To date seven mustelids – two ferrets, two stoats and three weasels have been caught in our traps.
Camera Monitoring
You are welcome to browse an online selection of our video footage.
Camera monitoring has observed ferrets at a number of sites in Mangemangeroa valley and we are awaiting delivery of more DOC 250 traps to follow up on these observations.
We have experimented with a camera mounted in the end of a tracking tunnel to utilise the natural behaviour of mustelids to look into holes and burrows. The concept was successful but the very limited field of vision meant that fast moving animals were missed despite the reasonably fast trigger time of the camera.
Catch Results
Although our traps are aimed at mustelids the bulk of the catches are rats. This isn’t a bad thing and definitely not unexpected. Mustelid lures will also attract rats and because rats are far more common than mustelids they will naturally make up the bulk of the catches.
Are You in the Zone?
If you live in or near our control zone we strongly encourage you to sign up to the project. Traps and lures are provided and we simply ask that you check the trap periodically and inform us of any catches. We will clear and rest the trap and dispose of the animal. We may place a monitoring camera or tracking tunnel on your property from time to time.
To sign up to the project please download and complete this form and send us a copy.
Project Plan
You can read the project plan here.