Predator Free Dunedin’s City Sanctuary project is administered by the Dunedin City Council, and aims to reduce the threat of rats, possums and stoats to help our city’s native wildlife to flourish.
Predator Free Dunedin’s City Sanctuary project is administered by the Dunedin City Council, and aims to reduce the threat of rats, possums and stoats to help our city’s native wildlife to flourish.
City Sanctuary’s work includes supporting a growing network of volunteers, community conservation groups and backyard trappers towards best-practice urban predator control.
“Dunedin has some of the best urban wildlife in the country, but our native birds, lizards and plants are threatened by introduced predators,” says Natalie Harfoot, City Sanctuary Predator Free Ranger.
City Sanctuary’s operating area spans more than 8,000 hectares and includes many of Dunedin’s suburbs and urban reserves.
“We currently have a network of about 3,400 traps distributed across Dunedin, and hundreds of people supporting us as backyard trappers, volunteers or within community trapping groups,” Ms Harfoot says. “Every milestone is a celebration of the collective effort of all our amazing contributors.”
Recently, City Sanctuary celebrated catching its 5,000th rat, and is fast approaching its 5,000th possum as well.
The milestone rat was trapped on a large, semi-rural property bordered by bush in North East Valley, owned by retiree Rosalind Andrew.
Ms Andrew has been involved in backyard trapping since 2022, with the support of City Sanctuary team member Emily Peterson.
“My mobility isn’t what it used to be, so I have very little to do with the traps myself,” she explains. “Emily checks and clears the network of traps on my property, which is wonderful.”
Together, their efforts on Ms Andrew’s property have resulted in the removal of 11 possums and 28 rats so far.
Ms Andrew notes that trapping in the valley has had a tremendous impact.
“It’s making a real difference to the neighbourhood. We see more tūī, kererū and korimako – it’s really quite beautiful and idyllic.”
Dunedin residents are pivotal to the success of ongoing and sustained predator control and environmental enhancement across the city.
City Sanctuary is keen to hear residents’ views to help guide future operations.
City Sanctuary’s short online survey will be open until 5pm on Sunday 10 November, and can be accessed via a banner on the City Sanctuary website.
Survey participants will go into a prize draw to win a family pass for a penguin and wildlife tour with The Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance (The OPERA).