City-dwelling possums are being captured and released back into Dunedin backyards as researchers track the pests to improve trapping effectiveness.

Dunedin students are being armed with high-tech traps to combat the rats around their flats, while also helping to develop plans for future predator control.

Predator control work could expand by more than 30,000ha north of Dunedin with the help of the Otago Regional Council.

Nature is catching a break from the effects of pesky possums. Native bush has had a chance to heal and there are no herds infected with bovine tuberculosis (Tb) around Dunedin, a new study has shown.

The Otago Regional Council was told its proposed funding for pest control is "insufficient" during the annual plan hearings yesterday.

Predator Free Dunedin trust has posted a $321,172 surplus in its inaugural year.

A South Island robin has been photographed at Dunedin's Ross Creek Reserve for the first time in recent memory, offering hope predator control work can attract more native birds into the city.

Our own backyards provide great promise in the push towards predator-free by 2050, but we are going to have to get our hands dirty, writes Maureen Howard.

Rats and hedgehogs top the list of animals trapped in the Halo Project, and now more focus is being placed on how it is improving the biodiversity of the area.