Predators of yellow-eyed penguins on Otago Peninsula beware - deerstalkers have you in their sights.
New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association Otago branch senior vice-president Greg Fagg said about 20 branch members had volunteered to check and reset traps near a yellow-eyed penguin nesting site at Otapahi Reserve, near Allans Beach.
Mr Fagg, of Dunedin, said the association wanted to do more conservation work, so partnered with the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust to help protect the birds from predators.
''The trust is skint for volunteers and penguin numbers have been dropping so they've put in traps to catch the rats, stoats, ferrets and weasels.''
The members would check the traps about every two weeks, he said.
Trust field manager David McFarlane said the trapping was essential to save the lives of the yellow-eyed penguins.
''The penguins are doing poorly, so we can't afford to have any extra losses ... For the deerstalkers to put their hands up and do this is just marvellous and we really appreciate it.''
Mr McFarlane, of Dunedin, said the partnership was facilitated by the Department of Conservation.
Mark 6 Fenn traps would be used by the deerstalkers until ''they rusted out'' and would be replaced by Doc 200 and Doc 250 trapping systems, Mr McFarlane said.
