Paddy and Dave rebaiting a trap CILRT

Trap network updates

Our Predator Free Chathams trap network is serviced every three months by staff and volunteers. We publish the latest stats here.

As of our last service in August, we have 140 AT220 traps in our network - but still have some more to put out - thanks to grants and the support of generous individuals. Catch numbers are below.

We estimate we need between 630-700 AT220s in this network, which covers 7500ha of different ecosystems in the northeast of Rēkohu/Wharekauri and includes two buffer zones and some community-based traps. This means we need around 500 more AT220s. 

If you’d like to help us fill the network, head over to our Sponsor a Trap page or send us an email.

Hamish servicing traps at the edge of Te Whanga Lagoon.

Winter service – Autumn 2025

No. traps in field 138 TOTAL TO DATE
Possums caught 404 942
Rats caught 1,567 2,342

 

That's an average of 3.3 possums and 12.6 rats per each trap over the last three months - all introduced predators removed from the environment, which helps protect native birds, invertebrates, and plants and a range of different ecosystem types. We have around 40% of our trapping network filled right now - just imagine the impact we'll have when we can completely fill the network.

Our partners the Hokotehi Moriori Trust are also carrying out trapping in the northeast area around a site where tītī/hakoakoa/sooty shearwaters have been translocated to revive an old colony. Over the last three months their traps have caught an additional:

  • 31 feral cats (56 total)

Paddy, one of our star volunteers, helps with the post driver to install an AT220 (with some help from his dad).

Autumn service – May 2025

No. traps in field 72 TOTAL TO DATE
Possums caught 312 538
Rats caught 531 775
New traps put out 63 138

 

Our partners the Hokotehi Moriori Trust are also carrying out trapping around a site where tītī/hakoakoa/sooty shearwaters have been translocated to revive an old colony. This falls within the Predator Free Chathams pilot area, and as of our autumn service their traps had caught:

  • 55 possums
  • 25 feral cats

 

AT220 trap in the northeast trapping network.

Summer service – January 2025

No. traps in field 51
Possums caught 192
Rats caught 244
New traps put out 63
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