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Stoat Update - August 2006
Since May 2006 over 50 volunteers have put in over 750 hours work cutting and marking tracks for the stoat trap lines on Pomona Island. In early August 37 trap sites were located along the 9.2km of tracks and pre-baited with eggs and meat. When volunteers returned in mid-August to bait the traps they found that just about all of the eggs and meat had been taken. This was good news, as it meant that the stoats, and rats, were used to going inside the traps for food. So it was with great excitement that a team of volunteers headed to Pomona Island at the end of August to check the traps. All 37 trap sites were checked and a total of 18 pests were caught - 2 stoats and 16 rats. We were pleased that the number of stoats caught was so low. This meant that informal trapping carried out by some Manapouri residents the year before had significantly reduced the stoat population. This is good news for the native birds breeding on the island. There is, however, a risk that some female stoats are avoiding the traps. This means that come the summer, when they produce their offspring, we might see a sudden increase in the number of stoats trapped. The traps, however, will always be on Pomona Island to catch any stoats should this occur.
Since May 2006 over 50 volunteers have put in over 750 hours work cutting and marking tracks for the stoat trap lines on Pomona Island. In early August 37 trap sites were located along the 9.2km of tracks and pre-baited with eggs and meat. When volunteers returned in mid-August to bait the traps they found that just about all of the eggs and meat had been taken. This was good news, as it meant that the stoats, and rats, were used to going inside the traps for food. So it was with great excitement that a team of volunteers headed to Pomona Island at the end of August to check the traps. All 37 trap sites were checked and a total of 18 pests were caught - 2 stoats and 16 rats. We were pleased that the number of stoats caught was so low. This meant that informal trapping carried out by some Manapouri residents the year before had significantly reduced the stoat population. This is good news for the native birds breeding on the island. There is, however, a risk that some female stoats are avoiding the traps. This means that come the summer, when they produce their offspring, we might see a sudden increase in the number of stoats trapped. The traps, however, will always be on Pomona Island to catch any stoats should this occur.
