The Halo Project has achieved some major milestones this year, including the completion of a mustelid trap network spanning the full project area of 12,500 hectares.

Thanks to the hard work of staff and volunteers, more than 1,600 traps have been deployed across 12,500 hectares between Flagstaff, Waitati and Aramoana. The team hopes to see the stoat population drop by 90% or more, which is great news for native biodiversity — especially birds, insects and lizards. The area is home to a wide range of native taonga species such as kakurawai (South Island robin), kārearea (New Zealand falcon) and South Island kākā. Orokonui Ecosanctuary continues to provide safe-haven for many species, but this network of stoat traps means they will be able to expand beyond the fence.

An innovative trial of AT220 possum traps has also seen good results. These automatic possum and rat trap have an expected 6-month battery life, automatically dispensing lure and the ability to shut down during daylight hours. With Orokonui Ecosanctuary at the heart of the Halo Project, a trial was needed to assess whether the traps are safe for kākā living in the area. The Halo Project and Orokonui Ecosanctuary worked with the University of Otago to test how birds interact with the traps. After promising results, a larger trial was established through Heyward Point in the hopes AT220s can be rolled out as part of a low-maintenance trap network to further build on the gains made by OSPRI’s landscape-scale possum operations in the area.

Collaboration has been key to success for the Halo Project who have worked with a range of local groups and landowners. The Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club continue checking stoat traps across Mihiwaka, while a group of residents from Sawyer’s Bay have been checking possum and stoat traps as part of efforts to restore native habitat between Cedar Creek and Borlases Road. The Ravensbourne Environmental Trust has been working over a number of years to protect Ravensbourne Gully which provide valuable habitat corridors for wildlife that links Ravensbourne with Burns Reserve on Signal Hill. Traps are now in place along the tracks and work continues to restore the bottom half of the gully.

Efforts to encourage responsible cat ownership continue. The Halo Cat programme encourages residents to get their pet cats de-sexed and micro-chipped, along with taking actions to reduce cat predation of native wildlife such as keeping them inside at night and using deterrent collars. The Companion Animal Register has provided 200 free micro-chips and Vetlife Waikouaiti are making them available for just $20. The Halo Project has also teamed up with the Otago Polytechnic’s School of Vet Nursing who recently micro-chipped 60 moggies at a pop-up clinic.

Overall, it has been a busy year, and these major wins would not be possible without the help and support of our volunteers and supporters. To all those who have supported the Halo Project to help achieve the vision for a Predator Free Dunedin — thank you!