‘Traps, Teas and Trees’ is a collaboration between Mana Tahuna, Southern Lakes Sanctuary and Whakatipu Wildlife Trust, coinciding with Conservation Week, at which residents living around Lake Hayes, and those nearby, can learn how to use stoat and rat traps, take them home, and set them up in their own backyards.
Wildlife trust exec officer Anna Harding-Shaw says Mana Tahuna rearranged their trap lines around the lake and subsequently had some available for other projects.
"But they really want the traps to go out into the catchment surrounding Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes, because that’s where they originally come from."
Now they’re hoping to encourage residents to get more involved in backyard trapping.
"Stoats are present [there] at all times of the year — their peak times are late summer, early autumn, when the juveniles are leaving home.
"It’s a great time now to get people with traps ready to go, and get used to them in their backyards."
Harding-Shaw says DOC 200 stoat and rat traps and boxed rat traps will be available at Tuesday’s event — staff will be present to discuss which solution will be best, and provide training in their use.
Additionally, everyone who attends will take home a native tree, courtesy of Mana Tahuna, as a thank you, while Skyline’s putting on afternoon tea.
Traps, Teas and Trees is being held at the northern end of Lake Hayes, at the wetland carpark, from 12.30pm till 3pm — to RSVP, email alice.barnfield@manatahuna.co.nz
