Peninsula possum numbers continue to decline
Operations are ramping up on the Peninsula as the team gets closer and closer to the goal of full eradication of possums. An impressive network of trap and bait stations is now providing excellent coverage across the entire Otago Peninsula area.
The team would not be so close to reaching this possum eradication goal if it weren’t for the amazing Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group volunteer trappers, who have now caught over 5000 possums!
The extensive network of traps present on the Peninsula. Predator Free Peninsula traps are shown in red and community traps are shown in orange.
The Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group have been using as many tools as they can to reach this goal of eradication, including possum detection dogs! Hoegh Hunting spent three weeks earlier in the year sweeping through the outer part of the Peninsula with their highly skilled detection dogs. The main aim of this work was to estimate how many possums were left in that area.
One dog is used in the daytime to sniff out any sign of possum scat, then the other two dogs are brought out at night to follow up and lead their human hunters directly to the possum.
Nine possums were detected in the outer part of the Peninsula (sectors 1 - 3) which was fantastic news for the team. Click on the map below to view the different sectors.
Of the 9 possums detected, Hoegh Hunting removed 7 of them and then the Peninsula operational team trapped the remaining 2 within weeks. The use of possum detection dogs is a very efficient method for detecting and removing possums and the team look forward to getting Hoegh Hunting back soon for another detection round.
The team from Hoegh Hunting and their detection dogs.
Portobello to The Cove has been a focus area for the OPBG team recently. Their goal is to mop up any trap-shy possums by using some different styles of traps and cages. This is proving to be a very successful operation and is tracking well.
Ways you can help:
If you’re trapping, freshen up the bait in your trap and keep it ready, just in case. As possum numbers dwindle, their movements change, so your trap could well become the vital link.
Keep an eye out for possums and report your sightings to our report a possum form.
Look out for signs of possum presence, these can be bites on apples or chew cards, possum poop (scat), or suspicious scratch marks on trees.
