DOC catching more predators

Stoats, rats, possums and other predators are being caught in increasing numbers in the Mackenzie Basin, according to the Conservation Department.

Twizel biodiversity manager Dean Nelson said DOC had trapped more than 5000 predators in the Tasman Valley since February 2005, including 327 possums, 2537 hedgehogs and 1246 stoats.

"We have about 1100 individual traps in the area, including wire-nettings and kill-traps. But I'm not surprised at the large numbers we have caught, as we're dealing with a huge area nearly 20,000 hectares."

He said stoats and hedgehogs were a big problem.

"Hedgehogs will eat birds' eggs, beetles, weta and grasshoppers, while some have even managed to prey on lizards," Mr Nelson said. "Stoats are incredibly adaptive. They eat a similar diet to the hedgehogs but will prey on young chicks and nesting adults as well."

He said DOC had adopted a variety of new methods near Lake Tasman, including Conibear traps, which have been used in Canada to catch large predators.

Mr Nelson said breeding numbers for native riverbed bird species had increased as a result.

- © Fairfax NZ News