Arthur's Pass Wildlife Trust

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APWT News

26 volunteers hard at work constructing traps

02/11/2024

100 new traps see the light of day

Saturday 2nd November saw 26 volunteers descend on the Arthur's Pass Fire Station to build 100 new shiny Kea-proof DOC 150 predator traps. 13 volunteers arrived from Forest & Bird Youth in Christchurch, and were transported to Arthur's Pass for the day by the TranzAlpine train (gratefully arranged by one of the KiwiRail TranzAlpine managers, who also mucked in on the day). Local APWT members from Arthur's & Bealey Spur, plus a German "woofer" completed an extremely efficient trap building team.

By 3.30pm the hundredth trap had come off the production line. These were promptly inspected by several Kea for their "proof-ness". A very big thank you goes out to all the volunteers on the day, and to KiwiRail for their support of the event.

These traps will be used to replace traps that have come to the end of their useful life, been taken by storms or vandals. A couple of new trap-lines will also be established around Klondyke Corner and Bealey Spur to bolster the protection of Roaroa (Great Spotted Kiwi) recently identified in these areas.

Whio Family APNP 2022-2023 breeding season

19/11/2022

Whio in APNP

Thanks to Isaac Conservation & wildlife trust, Ngai Tahu, DOC and APWT. Whio (Blue duck) are still breeding successfully in Arthur's Pass National Park and may be increasing in numbers, but knowing Whio numbers in APNP mostly relies on Public sightings reported to DOC. So if you see Whio in APNP please report to APNP visitor centre. Number seen, location, time, date, especially Ducklings. So they can be added to the National Data base.

Lagoon Saddle trap carry event - 25th June 2022

25/06/2022

Trap-line of the Snows

On Saturday 25 June, 35 volunteers from Conservation Volunteers New Zealand, Pattle Delamore Partners, & the Arthur's Pass Wildlife Trust carried in 31 new DOC 150 predator traps to 1100m on a very snowy Lagoon Saddle track. The very enthusiastic band of volunteers (including children) climbed the 400m high hillside in good time to deliver their cargo of traps. On return to the car-park they were greeted by an afternoon spread of hot drinks and snacks, kindly provided by the Arthur's Pass Wilderness Lodge.

These traps will form part of a new trap-line protecting the native wildlife about the very fragile alpine wetland area of the Lagoon Saddle. It is hoped in the future the APWT lines will meet the Craigieburn Trapping Alliance volunteer trap-lines extending into the area from the east.

Volunteers will check this line monthly. In additional, a study of the areas native inhabitants, and predators will take place. There is anecdotal evidence of Great Spotted Kiwi being present in this area, and it is hoped to get a definitive answer to this question during this Spring's breeding season. The area is rich in native species including Geckos, Skinks, Weka, Kea, prolific bush birds (Fantail, Tomtit, Robin, Morepork, Bell Birds), NZ Falcon, several waterfowl species, and numerous invertebrates. Unfortunately it is also home to wild pigs, feral cats, rats, stoats, and alpine grazers such as red deer, chamois and Himalayan tahr.