Opepe trapping project has turned 6!

2017 Volunteers establishing the first of the traps in the reserve

A fantastic milestone.

Back in October 2017, the Department of Conservation donated 36 DOC 200 traps to Predator Free Taupō. It was discussed that these traps were to be placed alongside the track on the North and South side of the Opepe Bush Historic Reserve. Taupo Forest and Bird took on the lead role of leading the trapping project out at Opepe Reserve, with the objective to engage the community and help reduce pest numbers and protect the native biodiversity.    A roster was created and a team of 12 volunteers took on the role of servicing the traps weekly, from then on the Opepe team grew their group of volunteers, have been successful with funding applications and expanded the trapping network from 36 DOC 200s to an impressive collection now of 330 traps. The trap inventory now includes an array of manual and automatic possum, rat and mustelid traps resulting in the removal of 6,000 pests!

This team has taken on the role of protecting this beautiful piece of native bush seriously. With regular trail camera footage and observations all are concerned with the number of cats and pigs throughout the reserve the damage these pests are doing and now there is the threat of wallabies which is seriously concerning. But this team which has put in a lot of hard work has certainly made a noticeable difference, volunteers and visitors to this beautiful reserve are all commenting on the increased birdlife. Native birds they have not seen here previously or very rarely are now being regularly spotted or heard foraging above in the treetops. We are all loving the difference the Opepe trappers are making.

Well Done!

2023 Trapping network within Opepe Reserve