The new Arrowtown Backyard Trappers have just been awarded $5000 from Predator Free New Zealand Trust (PFNZT), enabling the group to put rat traps in every second backyard, and possum traps in every fifth along the Arrow River.
The initial 50-odd traps will be set in a block of houses along the river, which back on to a reserve, and will complement the ongoing work of Predator Free Arrowtown, in part funded by Sir Michael Hill and his family, and the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust (WWT).
PFNZT community funding adviser Janine Hearn says twice a year, the trust selects "standout" predator free communities across the country and provides funding for humane trapping materials, ongoing support, information and advice.
Noting they receive hundreds of applications every year, Hearn says there’s a "real buzz" around predator control and protecting nature in Queenstown.
"It takes a whole community coming together.
"[WWT] has great experience rallying local support, so we know this new backyard initiative is in safe hands."
Hearn says expanding into backyards creates a buffer zone around Arrowtown’s protected forested hills, and will help stop pests reinvading the forest, home to native birds such as ruru, tūī, grey warbler, brown creeper, pīwakawaka, and kārearea.
WWT boss Anna Harding-Shaw says the closer properties are to the river, the more likely they are to have native birds in their backyards, because they’re nesting in trees along the river.
That also means they’re more likely to have predators, such as rats.
"So, it’s just extending that area of control.
"The plan is to start there, see how the uptake is, and roll out further."
Ultimately, WWT hopes to extend the programme all the way from Jopp St to the Bush Creek industrial area and then, if others are keen, and funding’s available, move in towards Arrowtown, too.
Harding-Shaw says the T-Rex rat traps and the Flipping Timmy possum traps are welfare tested, child and pet safe, and easy to set.
The rat traps will also be set in custom-made wooden tunnel boxes, which will be made by local organisations.
While residents will be trained on how to deal with the traps themselves, "if people feel a bit funny about it, we are happy to come and assist".
Harding-Shaw expects the first traps to be handed out next month.
