Cameras are the latest weapon to be called upon in the fight to reduce the numbers of pest animals on the Hibiscus Coast.
At the start of this year, Forest & Bird’s Pest Free Hibiscus Coast predator control specialist Naomi Harrison installed cameras on trails in 17 different locations, with the help of local volunteers Dave Albiston and Julian Fripp.
They combined the dual night and day cameras with a Motolure, created by Zero Invasive Predators – this features an automatic mayonnaise dispenser to attract any nearby rats, stoats, possums and mice to the camera.
Naomi says the initial results included some interesting pictures.
At one site in Arkles Bay, a curious cat keeps getting in front of the camera day and night and other images included an upside down rat and a photobombing fantail.
Project manager Jenny Hanwell says the cameras help to get a better idea of pest animal activity and also behaviour, so the team know where to put traps next to keep native birds safe.
“We’re very grateful to the Little Kōwhai Charitable Trust for funding this area of the project, and to the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board for supporting our field team positions,” she says.
