Predator Free Okere Falls Project

The Predator Free Okere Falls objective is to remove rat, mice, possum, and mustelid populations in the Okere Falls region. Aim’s are to influence, engage, and educate the community about pest control measures according to predator free NZ movement project.

There are four individual phases for the Predator Free Okere Falls project. The phase areas are in total 136Ha and covers the top 1.5km of the Kaituna River all the way out to the end of Te Akau Rd covering the entire peninsula. In total we are aiming for 21 trap lines over 17.258 km.

Screen Shot 2018-10-09 at 7.55.59 PM
The four proposed trapping networks through out Okere Falls Region.  Areas Are: Yellow = Okere, Purple = Tahake, Green = Te Akau, Green = Kaituna

Phase 1 Okere

This area mostly contains residential areas as well as business operations, farmland, marae, as well as small reserves / public areas.

Infestation results

Chew cards results show this area monitored at 90% before this pest control project is to be implemented.

Traplines

We are aiming to have 4.35km of trap lines over 5 seperate lines.

Trap maintenance

  • Trapping lines are to be checked by residents on their own properties with kills reported to us. We have agreed to replace the gas canisters in GoodNature Traps for the next 2 years. Thereafter residents will be responsible for their own trap maintenance. The GoodNature app sends us a reminder of when canisters need replacing. Local business in this area are run from their own home so the same agreement applies.  
  • DOC 200 traps will be checked once a month. Traps will be reset (if necessary), rebated (if necessary), and checked to see if maintenance is required.
  • The traps will remain in place for continued control as reinvasion can be expected due to the proximity of unprotected surrounds.
  • The local reserve is very small and having traps surrounding it will mean that any animals trying to get in from the outside will have to break the line of defense. Reserves are surrounded by either lake, residential, or farmland. Traps will eventually be around the whole perimeter ensuring rodents do not swim or run into managed area.
  • Bodies will be not be left to decay on any walking tracks. Trap lines should be walked once a fortnight to ensure that build up of dead animals doesn’t happen. Gloves will be worn to toss bodies into bush to decay.

Traps to be used

  • DOC 200
  • GoodNature A12
  • GoodNature A24

Monitoring

Monitoring will happen annually. We will use two methods. Chew cards distributed throughout the community and 5 minute bird counts will be conducted.

  • Outcomes to be achieved are improvement in birdlife and reduction in predators.
  • Monitor Outcomes and use these to promote the project.

Phase 2 Taheke

This area mostly contains residential properties as well as the Rotoiti Holiday Park, some farmland and public areas.

Infestation results

Chew cards results show this area monitored at 80-90% before this pest control project is to be implemented.

Traplines

We are aiming to have 4.2km of trap lines over 4 seperate lines.

Trap maintenance

  • Trapping lines are to be checked by residents on their own properties with kills reported to us. We have agreed to replace the gas canisters in GoodNature Traps for the next 2 years. Thereafter residents will be responsible for their own trap maintenance. The GoodNature app sends us a reminder of when canisters need replacing. Local business in this area are run from their own home so the same agreement applies.  
  • DOC 200 traps will be checked once a month. Traps will be reset (if necessary), rebated (if necessary), and checked to see if maintenance is required.
  • The traps will remain in place for continued control as reinvasion can be expected due to the proximity of unprotected surrounds.
  • Bodies will be not be left to decay on any walking tracks. Trap lines should be walked once a fortnight to ensure that build up of dead animals doesn’t happen. Gloves will be worn to toss bodies into bush to decay.

Traps to be used

  • DOC 200
  • GoodNature A12
  • GoodNature A24

Monitoring

Monitoring will happen annually. We will use two methods. Chew cards distributed throughout the community and 5 minute bird counts will be conducted.

  • Outcomes to be achieved are improvement in birdlife and reduction in predators.
  • Monitor Outcomes and use these to promote the project.

Phase 3 Te Akau

This area contains residential areas

Infestation results

Chew cards results show this area monitored at 70-80% before this pest control project is to be implemented.

Traplines

We are aiming to have 4.4 km of trap lines over 7 separate trap lines.

Trap maintenance

  • Trapping lines are to be checked by residents on their own properties with kills reported to us. We have agreed to replace the gas canisters in GoodNature Traps for the next 2 years. Thereafter residents will be responsible for their own trap maintenance. The GoodNature app sends us a reminder of when canisters need replacing.
  • Checking chew cards to see if it appropriate to move the trap to a potentially better performing location.
  • The proposed trapping lines established in the reserve will be checked by selected volunteers on foot. These will be a selection of automatic, and manual traps. It is proposed that manual traps be checked by volunteers once a week, with bait replacement as needed approperiety.
  • The traps will remain in place for continued control as reinvasion can be expected due to the proximity of unprotected surrounds.
  • DOC 200 traps will be checked once a month. Traps will be reset (if necessary), rebated (if necessary), and checked to see if maintenance is required.
  • Bodies will be not be left to decay on any walking tracks. Trap lines should be walked once a fortnight to ensure that build up of dead animals doesn’t happen. Gloves will be worn to toss bodies into bush to decay.

Traps to be used

  • Victor Traps
  • Doc 200
  • GoodNature A12
  • GoodNature A24

Monitoring

Monitoring will happen annually. We will use two methods. Chew cards distributed throughout the community and 5 minute bird counts.

  • Outcomes to be achieved are improvement in birdlife and reduction in predators.
  • Monitor Outcomes and use these to promote the project.

Phase 4 Kaituna

This area contains residential areas, business operations, farmland, Urupa, as well as The Okere Falls Scenic Reserve.

Infestation results

Chew cards results show this area monitored at 80-90% before this pest control project is to be implemented.

Traplines

We are aiming to have 4.38 km of trap lines over 5 separate trap lines.

Trap maintenance

  • Trapping lines are to be checked by residents on their own properties with kills reported to us. We have agreed to replace the gas canisters in GoodNature Traps for the next 2 years. Thereafter residents will be responsible for their own trap maintenance. The GoodNature app sends us a reminder of when canisters need replacing.
  • Checking chew cards to see if it appropriate to move the trap to a potentially better performing location.
  • The proposed trapping lines established in the reserve will be checked by selected volunteers on foot.  The river trapping line will be checked by access from kayak or raft. These will be a selection of automatic, and manual traps. It is proposed that manual traps be checked volunteers once a week, with bait replacement as needed approperiety.
  • The traps will remain in place for continued control as reinvasion can be expected due to the proximity of unprotected surrounds.
  • Kaituna Cascades have agreed to check a small trapping line surrounding their business establishment.
  • DOC 200 traps will be checked once a month. Traps will be reset (if necessary), rebated (if necessary), and checked to see if maintenance is required.
  • Bodies will be not be left to decay on any walking tracks. Trap lines should be walked once a fortnight to ensure that build up of dead animals doesn’t happen. Gloves will be worn to toss bodies into bush to decay.

Traps to be used

  • Victor Traps
  • Doc 200
  • GoodNature A12
  • GoodNature A24

Monitoring

Monitoring will happen annually. We will use two methods. Chew cards distributed throughout the community and 5 minute bird counts will be conducted.

  • Outcomes to be achieved are improvement in birdlife and reduction in predators.
  • Monitor outcomes and use these to promote the project.