OIAD 3223 Document 1 for release Habitat Tuateawa rodent trapping trial.pdf

Habitat Tuateawa predator trapping trial (2023 – 2026); proposed design.
DRAFT May 2023
AIM:
To determine whether Habitat Tuateawa can eﬀec vely control targeted pest mammals
using traps alone.
EXPLANATION:
 Maintaining control of targeted pests (ship rats, stoats and possums) is central toACT 1982
Habitat Tuateawa achieving its restora on goals. While important progress has been
made maintaining eﬀec ve ongoing control of these pests involves signiﬁcant
challenges. Further improvements based on trials such as this, and new informa on
from other sources will be important.
 Various control approaches and tools have been used by Habitat Tuateawa over the
years involving diﬀerent combina ons of traps and toxins Bait sta ons con nue to
be replaced with traps in line with a declared aim in our strategic plan (2022-2026) to
complete the transi on to a toxin-free regime by 2026 provided conserva on
outcomes are not jeopardised.
 The current regime is largely based on trapping by volunteers on cut tracks (“lines”)
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targe ng various combina ons of the targeted pests. A brief (1 month) “pulse” of
toxic baits (typically ﬁrst-genera on an -coagulants and/or cholecalciferol) has been
applied in recent years to augment trapping to achieve a “knockdown” of rodents at
the cri cal Spring bird nes ng season.
 Trials such as this will be important in iden fying and evalua ng traps and other
novel devices that could poten ally underpin a transi on to a toxin-free regime
without jeopardising ecological outcomes.
 Engaging with members, landowners and other partners and seeking their advice
and support in the design, implementa on and evalua on of this trial can be
expected to lead to further beneﬁts. Results will underpin Habitat Tuateawa’s future
pest control decisions. Experience gained and networks expanded may also lead to
addi onal beneﬁts felt beyond Tuateawa. DOC’s ini al expression of support for
ini a ng this trial is acknowledged.
TRIAL TIMING & DURATION:
 Ideally the trapping trial will commence at the start of the forest passerine nes ng
season (August – November) this year (2023). This will require a proposal to be
approved by the HT Commi ee and supported by various stakeholders, funds
allocated, equipment purchased and deployed and local operators engaged, trained
and supported within 3 months. What are the implica ons of a later start?
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
TRIAL AREA:
 A trial area will be selected which:

o Lies within the Habitat Tuateawa Pest Control Area and on Public
Conserva on Land (and approved by DOC).
o Is representa ve of the vegeta on and terrain of the greater area.
o Is accessible and easily traversable by trappers.
o Is large enough to provide useful data, but not so large that regular trial
ac vi es are beyond available resources.
o A 30 hectare area between Tuateawa Road and the northern end of Waihirere
Drive, north of Puriri Place meets these criteria.
Append Trap.NZ maps showing proposed trial area and northern comparison area, and
showing exis ng and proposed trapping grids.
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TRAPPING NETWORK
 A trapping network will be established based on specialist advice and current best
prac ce that overlays parts of exis ng, largely inopera ve control lines (MR and MR)
between Puriri Place and the northern end of Waihirere Drive.
 Exis ng rat traps (A24 Goodnature auto-re-set and DOC200s in boxes) within the trial
area will be removed and replaced with double-set Victor box traps (see below). This
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will allow the eﬃcacy of this trapping regime using Victors to be evaluated, as well as
providing a comparison with our exis ng trapping/pulsed toxin regime in adjacent
areas.
 In line with current best prac ce for rat control 40 traps will be installed 50 metres
apart along lines roughly 100 metres apart and approximately 1km long (See map).
 Stoats and possums will also con nue to be targeted in the trial area using species-
appropriate traps (DOC200s, Sen nels).
TRAPS
 Based on specialist advice 40 double-set Victor box traps will be deployed along both
lines (Approximately 1km long) at 50m spacings. These traps have been
recommended by Cam Speedy based on his na onal overview of community led
predator control projects. Box-based Victor snap traps are eﬀec ve in catching both
rats and stoats and are rela vely cheap (A ach photo). The boxes could poten ally
be constructed by a Habitat Tuateawa volunteer.
 2 AT220 automa c re-se ng traps will also be deployed to augment the snap trap
array. These traps are widely recognised as highly eﬀec ve in catching rats, including
in areas where trap-shy rats may be present. The AT220s will be moved to diﬀerent
loca ons within the trial area to enhance their eﬀec veness.
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TRAPPING REGIME

  The Victor traps need to be checked and re-set manually with implica ons for
(volunteer) labour inputs. The frequency of checking will need to be determined
based on available labour and capture rates.

MONITORING
  Monitoring trapping eﬀort and trap-catch will be an important component of this
trial – both, within the trapping-only area, and the nearby ‘non-treatment’ area (ie a
similarly-sized area nearby where the normal trapps + toxin regime will be
maintained). (See map showing treatment and non-treatment areas).
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  Trail cameras will be a key. It would be problema c to use tracking tunnels to
monitor tunnel-shy rats. Surveillance cameras have evolved in recent years. They are
now a valuable monitoring tool and are used extensively. They provide opportuni es
to learn more about how animals behave around traps and other devices, and a basis
for making further reﬁnements to improve the eﬃcacy of control.

EVALUATION & REPORTING
  Specialist advice and support will be sought in colla ng and interpre ng data
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collected, as well as peer review in reports prepared for stakeholders.

ADMINISTRATION & COORDINATION?
  Support and oversight?
  Advocacy…?
  Networking…?

SUPPORT
HT members…
DOC – including approval to operate on PCL… Note that this trial will be undertaken solely
on PCL…
WRC?
PFHCCT?

COSTS
  40 Double set Victor box traps @ $35

            $1400
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  “Smooth Blue” bait and “Lure-it” lure

              $100?
  2 AT220 auto-resetting traps @$500 each

$1000?
  5 surveillance cameras (See Cacophony website/Grant Ryan). 5 at $250 each       $1250
  Other costs?

NEXT STEPS ????????
  Secure HT Committee’s support & inputs…

  Secure DOC approval & support…

  Advise neighbours/seek their support to concept?...

  Establish oversight group

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  Engage project operators including project manager

  Engage with appropriate networks (eg PFHCCT)…

INFORMATION
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL