Northland’s native forests and wildlife are a lot better off without the 229,372 animal pests trapped by Kiwi Coast groups and projects over the last five years.
The Kiwi Coast Trust’s annual collation of trap catch data underscores the huge impact that is being gained by groups working collaboratively to reduce pest animals that know no boundaries.
Kiwi Coast coordinator Ngaire Tyson says “In 2017 alone, 59,589 animal pests were trapped by Kiwi Coast groups and projects, each defending their patch of paradise from predators. That’s over 1,000 pests being trapped every week and no longer breeding, feeding and predating on our native wildlife.”
“Collating the results from all the groups and projects each year helps to show that individually, groups are achieving great results, but together they are achieving something truly phenomenal.”
“As stoats kill 95% of kiwi chicks before they reach their first birthday, trapping 4,589 of these top predators over the last 5 years will have helped a lot of kiwi chicks survive in the wild and hopefully, find a territory and start breeding “said Ngaire.
The Kiwi Coast initiative continues to grow each year as more community groups join in. Currently, 104 entities are linked into Kiwi Coast, covering over 135,750 hectares. Kiwi Coast supports and links projects to build continuous trapping networks across the landscape to boost kiwi survival and allow their safe dispersal into new areas.
A $500 spot prize of pest control products sponsored by Key Industries was won by Tapuhi Landcare who are working hard on the fringe of the Russell State Forest to stem the flow of pests and revive ancient northern rata trees ravaged by possums.
“By working together we’re making a huge difference to Northland and we’re seeing the results of that with increased birdsong, healthier forests and stable or increasing kiwi numbers in many areas” says Kiwi Coast Trust Chairman, Dr John Craig.
Kiwi Coast works with partners, Northland Regional Council, to support keen communities with traps, training and pest control strategies to ensure that Northland kiwi are here for generations to come.
