What’s happening on the Peninsula?

OPBG's focus is the eradication of possums from the Otago Peninsula, and Winter/Makariri/Takurua is the best time to knock them out. OPBG has contractors working on a toxin operation, using possum-specific bait stations, from Portobello to Cape Saunders and out to Taiaroa Head. Once this operation is complete, the team will install a network of self-resetting and monitored traps across the landscape to remove remaining possums.

They’ll be installing a network of camera traps along with other monitoring devices. Then OPBG will be looking for keen volunteers to help with checking cameras and compiling the data collected from the images for analysis. Both the trap and camera networks are part of a longer term monitoring programme to prove that possums have been eradicated and stop future incursions. 

Mike will run community trapping workshops at Harwood and Portobello in late July/August for residents, to help catch any remaining possums and, importantly, continue trapping to prove we have removed them all! For details check Facebook @predatorfreepeninsula or contact Mike 021 242 4944, peninsula@opbg.nz.  Efforts to turn more residents into ‘backyard trappers’ continues with Marcia leading the Guardians programme, buffering the peninsula from possum reinvasion at the base of the peninsula.

If you are wanting to trap possums on your patch but not sure how - OPBG have four short videos to demystify the process. From installing the trap, to disposing of the animal, Marcia demonstrates every step using a Trapinator possum kill-trap. Find the videos on OPBG’s new 'Resources' webpage, together with other “How to” guides for rat trapping and even building a rifleman nesting box.