Kiwi Coast Northland Project

Supporting and connecting community-led kiwi recovery along the east coast of Northland.

  • About
    • Kiwi Coast Project
    • Kiwi Coast Area
    • Organisations Involved
  • Get Involved
    • How to Get Involved
    • Follow Kiwi
    • List Your Group or Project
    • Kiwi Listening App
    • Sponsorship
  • Community
    • Kiwi Coast Map
    • Groups/Projects Involved
    • Kiwi Coast Events
    • Annual Pest Control Results
    • Contribute News, Events & Photos
  • Results
    • Kiwi Coast Annual Report 2022
    • Pateke (Brown Teal) Ducks
    • Pest Control Results
    • REPORT KIWI
    • Draft Kiwi Call Count Report 2021
  • News
  • Photos
    • Kiwi Photos
    • Kiwi Videos
    • Media Library
  • Education
  • Resources
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • LOGIN
You are here: Home / Kiwi Coast News / How to Trap Safely in Kiwi Areas

How to Trap Safely in Kiwi Areas

Broken leg of kiwi caught in trap

Broken leg of kiwi caught in trap

Last week’s news headlines featured a trap-injured kiwi that had to learn to walk again before it could be returned to the wild.

This kiwi had broken its leg after being caught in a trap near the Urewera’s, but was found in time and luckily will live to tell the tale.

Video of the kiwi learning to walk on a treadmill

DOC 200 trap box with kiwi-excluding entrance

DOC 200 trap box with kiwi-excluding entrance

Top 3 ways to keeping kiwi safe when carrying out pest control

1) Use kiwi-excluding trap boxes and covers

The wooden boxes for DOC 200 and DOC 250 mustelid traps have specially sized entrance holes and off-set mesh walls inside so kiwi cannot enter or poke their curious heads and long bills straight into the traps. Keeping trap boxes screwed shut and trap covers pinned down also means that if the traps get moved by animals such as pigs, the trap cover remains in place, the traps safely enclosed and out of harms way.

 

Hupara Landcare's ramp and sliding Timms trap

Hupara Landcare’s ramp and sliding Timms trap

2) Raise traps 700mm off the ground in kiwi areas

Leg hold traps pose a special threat to kiwi as they trigger the trap if they stand on it, which can result in painful injuries and even death. Leg hold traps need to be raised off the ground and secured.

Timms traps also need to be raised. Different groups do this in different ways. Marunui Conservation Limited have made special wooden platforms, Hupara Landcare use a ramp and slider system, while Mahinepua-Radar Hills  Landcare secure their Timms traps up in trees and on fence posts.

3) Clean out your traps!

Thoroughly clean out all pest remains, maggots, beetles etc from traps before resetting so that kiwi are not enticed into the trap for food!

If you find a dead or injured kiwi take it into your local vet or Department of Conservation office straight away!

Marunui Timms Platform (Photo: Joe Barber)

Marunui Timms Platform (Photo: Joe Barber)

If you are not sure about whether your traps are set safely or whether you have kiwi in your area, it is a good idea to check in with the Department of Conservation or Northland Regional Council Biosecurity team to get specialist advice.

For more information on traps and trapping download a copy of the 2015 Northland Pest Control Guidelines.

Kiwi Coast Events

  • 15/04/2023 - Broadwood - Kohukohu Trapping Day
    • 29/04/2023 - Puke Kopipi Autumn Working Bee
      • 20/05/2023 - Puke Kopipi Working Bee
        • 28/05/2023 - Northland Pest Control Workshop
          • 17/06/2023 - Puke Kopipi Working Bee

            Cart

            Get Kiwi Updates!

            Partners, Funders & Organisations Involved

            Northland Regional Council
            Foundation North
            NZ Department of Conservation
            Hancock Forest Management
            Kiwis for Kiwi Trust
            Ngatiwai Trust Board
            QEII National Trust
            Whangarei District Council

            View all organisations...

            Groups/Projects Involved

            View Groups Directory…
            View Kiwi Coast Map
            Pest Control Results = 591,584

            Quick Links

            List your landcare or community group
            Send us your news, events and photos
            Report kiwi you've seen or heard in your area
            Send us your annual pest control results
            Order Kiwi Coast signs for your group
            View a map of the Kiwi Coast

            Kiwi Resources

            How to Trap Safely in Kiwi Areas
            First Five Years Report - 2018
            Kiwi Coast Strategic Plan
            Northland Pest Control Guidelines
            Kiwi and Dogs brochure
            Where you can exercise your dog
            Download the Kiwi Listening App

            The Kiwi Coast Shop

            Sponsorship Programs
            Make a donation | Kiwi Coast Merchandise
            Shopping Cart | My Account

            Copyright © 2023 Kiwi Coast · Log in