Rat/Stoat Trap and now a Possum Trap: Update

If you have been reading our blog then you will know we are passionate about the native reserve we have been planting and looking after for a few years. One of the main problems we found when we set tracking tunnels is that the rats, stoats and possums have been eating the native seeds, berries and insects. We originally borrowed some traps from DOC and caught some massive rats. Unfortunately one trap was stolen. We knew we had to buy our own ones so we researched what traps we wanted to buy for our school. We finally decided to buy Goodnature’s A24 rat/stoat trap and the A12 possum trap. One of the reasons we thought these were the best was because they reset themselves and we were having trouble looking after the traps over the holidays or when the wet weather meant we couldn't get down there. The next problem was funding it. We applied for some grants but were unsuccessful. We didn’t give up. We decided to apply for a grant from the Tairāwhiti Enviroschools and Eastland Port and we were successful! So we bought the traps. Once they were delivered, we set up the A24 last week and the A12 this week. The A24 has a chirp in it which we have synced to Mrs Naden’s phone. When we catch a rat or stoat it will send her a notification. We tested it out and it works. Now the problem is, whenever we hear her phone ping we all jump up and shout “WE’VE GOT ONE!” and head for the door. But Mrs Naden’s checks it and says, “Sorry guys, it’s just a text!” She’s thinking about putting her phone on silent!



Next time we will video landscape!