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 just over 400 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 260 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. We put together a Trap Roundup at the end of the year, just to let our sponsors know what they've been part of:

Trap Sponsors: Trap Roundup 2025

Mike Bell servicing Aotearoa's most easterly AT220.

Autumn 2026

We have several more traps purchased and waiting for the right weather to be put out in the field. Now that we have data from a few seasons (and several more traps than at the start!) more analysis of what our catch numbers mean will be coming in our next services.

Our partners at the Hokotehi Moriori Trust have now caught a total of 91 feral cats in the northeast area.

Volunteer Miguel Mejías helping put out traps.

Summer 2025/26

We caught lower numbers than our winter service, which likely reflects natural population fluctionations due to the season.

Hamish servicing traps at the edge of Te Whanga Lagoon.

Winter 2025

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 2025

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 2024/25