Next steps for a Possum Free Otago Peninsula

In 2008, the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group (OPBG) was formed by local residents with a bold vision: a peninsula free from introduced predators, starting with possums. Since then, OPBG has mobilised the community, with landowners, volunteers, and conservationists contributing more than 100,000 volunteer hours.

READ: Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group History Project (2008 - 2015)

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of OPBG staff, trustees, volunteers, and the wider community over the years, locals are now enjoying healthier forests, gardens, and more native birds like tūī, korimako/bellbird, kererū, pīwakawaka/fantail, and tītipounamu/rifleman. From tireless field work, to community engagement, and trawling through trail camera photos – their commitment, support, and collaboration have made an enormous impact.

Over the past few months, OPBG, the Halo Project, and City Sanctuary have been working together as Predator Free Dunedin – bringing together their collective expertise and resources to get the peninsula possum elimination over the line.

Thanks to the efforts of staff and volunteers working together, we now have a clear picture of where the final few possums are located. Since June, we have used possum scat detection dogs, drones with thermal imaging, an AI detection network, and the eyes and ears of the community to understand how many possums are left and where they are hiding. 

Scat detection dogs have covered over 3,000 hectares looking for signs of possums. Any detections are then followed up with a range of tools including hunting dogs and kill traps.  

Detection and hunting dogs working on the Otago Peninsula (left to right): Scout and Jonah (Halo Project), Schmack and Jason (Pest Free Banks Peninsula), Beau and Steve (Hoegh Hunting), Peggy and Max (Hoegh Hunting).

Drones with thermal imaging were used to locate possums residing on hard-to-reach cliff faces. They confirmed a handful of possums are living on cliffs in at least three separate locations. Intensive trapping around the edges of cliffs has seen some success, but we continue to explore innovative approaches to target these elusive individuals.  

An AI detection network has been set up across the outer areas of the Otago Peninsula. This new, high-tech network is solar powered, using AI and self-resetting traps to send live updates of any possums that may still be out there, while also removing any that enter a trap. A camera inside these traps takes a photo which goes directly to our team on the ground.

This live detection network will let us know if any rogue possums enter the area and will help us to confirm when we are possum free!

The community continues to be our eyes and ears on the ground, with any sightings being reported through our Report a Possum form for the rapid response team to follow up.

OPBG has now shifted its efforts away from possum work to focus on rodents, rabbits, and mustelids, handing the ongoing Possum Free Peninsula operations to Predator Free Dunedin. The efforts of OPBG’s staff, trustees, and volunteers over the past 15 years have meant the restoration of an iconic landscape that will allow native flora and fauna to thrive for generations to come.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari kē he toa takitini – my success should not be bestowed onto me alone, it was not individual success but the success of a collective.