Skyline has lent its support to trapping group Kaitiaki Manu, or Guardians of the Birds, funding the first seven traps on the Ben Lomond Recreation Reserve, which have already trapped 42 possums.
Kaitiaki Manu has been established with the support of Fernhill/Sunshine Bay group Alpine Bird Song, established in 2017 as part of the Wakatipu Wildlife Trust.
The trust’s vision is to create and maintain predator-free environments throughout the Wakatipu to enable birds and other native wildlife to flourish.
Skyline Queenstown general manager Wayne Rose said the company was establishing a framework to help create a sustainable future and a key part of that was building strong and meaningful relationships with the community and environmental groups who worked ‘‘tirelessly’’ to restore and regenerate the environment.
"Our partnership with the Wakatipu Wildlife Trust, by funding the Bobs Peak/Ben Lomond trapping group, was an easy decision.
"Their knowledge and passion for a predator-free environment complement our initiatives to minimise our impact on the environment ... and reinforces the foundations of our commitment to sustainable tourism."
The trapping at Skyline has been led by volunteers Peter De La Mare and David Bowles, who set four Trapinator and three Goodnature A12 possum traps, the latter able to reload 12 times, around Skyline’s upper complex, part of a two-stage programme.
The next phase will begin next April and involve more traps being placed around the Ben Lomond and One Mile Creek areas.
"After only one week, we trapped 16 possums; a number we are both surprised about and pleased with," Mr Rose said.
"It clearly shows a need for more predator control in our area, and we are excited about the opportunity to help bring back the native birdlife population on Bobs Peak."
Wildlife trust executive officer Leslie Van Gelder, of Glenorchy, said Skyline was in a geographically critical position and its support meant the trust could create a "corridor" to cover Ben Lomond, through the Ziptrek Ecotours site and the Kiwi Birdlife Park.
"We love that our local businesses are getting involved in a concerted way and that the geographical synergies are going to start to show real impact in the year to come.
"Peter De La Mare, who leads Fernhill’s Alpine Birdsong Group, has been instrumental in making this partnership happen and we are so appreciative of his big-picture vision and willingness to get out there and do the work.
"It’s that kind of spirit that makes all the difference."
There were now more than 150 volunteers involved in 41 trapping groups in the wider Wakatipu Basin — stretching from Paradise, near Glenorchy, to Kingston — up from six in 2017.
As of mid-December, more than 3300 predators had been caught in the 1600-plus traps last year alone, Ms Van Gelder said.
