Trapping is a team effort

This week is Conservation Week.

Here in Hurunui there’s plenty of great things happening when it comes to lending a helping hand to our environment.

This week we’re covering some stories of what’s happening in our own backyard.

Here’s a bit of a story about some great trapping work that’s going on in Hanmer Springs.

Hanmer Springs wants to be predator free, and with that in mind the Hanmer Trapping Group began in 2020.

A branch of the Te tihi O Rauhea Hanmer Springs Conservation Trust which was started in 2012, joint Manager of the Group Tori Rowley said they’ve committed more than five years and 16 volunteer trappers working 15 trap lines, and have caught 1782 pest species.

“This has included 667 rats, 285 hedgehogs, 162 mustelids, plus possums.”

Hanmer Trapping was started as part of Predator Free NZ 2050, which fellow manager Kirsty James and Tori agreed was a great goal.

It was clear locals were keen to help.

“We advertise on the Hanmer Springs Notice Board Facebook page when we need trappers, and we get a great response.”

Originally, the trapping started off in Hanmer Springs village and has been extended to surrounding areas with native bush to help protect the birds and wildlife in Hanmer Springs and its surrounds.

The Group has recently purchased a thermal camera with AI recognition capabilities to locate pests, from which they receive a daily report on what’s been recorded.

“This means we can build a picture of pests and birds over time. This will help see if the trapping is working,” said Tori.

These trappers are not shy about progression and innovation, they’re currently involved in trialling a new type of lure developed by a Masters’ student at the University of Canterbury.

Bait stealing might become a thing of the past.

“It lasts for three months without going mouldy or needing to be changed. It is in a small, perforated container so mice don't steal it, and emits a scent consistently for three months.”

Tori said if this works, it’ll be great.

Great projects like this don’t happen without generosity. The Trust is supported by Hanmer Springs businesses which contribute to ongoing costs such as the buying of bait, lures, new traps and more, which they are very grateful for.

“Unfortunately, we lost traps in the big winds as they were getting squashed by tree fall.”

Tori added they would love to look at getting self-setting traps, but they are expensive.

Anyone who wants to donate can call Chris Hughey. To contact Chris through the Trust to find out more, please email thettorhsct@gmail.com

The vision of Te tihi O Rauhea Hanmer Springs Conservation Trust is about restoring, enhancing and conserving native species and habitats around Hanmer Springs, and was set up by local man Chris Hughey, who has volunteers restoring wetlands and controlling weeds around the Woodland ponds. This creates a great partnership.