Our pest control efforts are always paramount in the day to day running of the reserve.  Since the arrival of the new kiwi we have been even more vigilant as it is imperative these 30 new arrivals acclimate to their surroundings.  We are delighted to report, that so far, no pesky predators have managed to get to any of our birds.  Our team report a higher number than usual of rats, stoats and weasels caught in traps that guard the two perimeters.

Comments Programme Manager, Bruce Vander Lee "We are not suprised to see the increase in pests per se.  Kiwi are very smelly and we have more than doubled the population.  So we can understand why the pests are drawn to them.  However, we are more than prepared.  We spent the entire month prior to the new kiwi arrival setting out additional traps".  He continues " Predators have to breach the Greater Wellington Regional Council monitored buffer zone which is on the farmland each side of our reserve.  This is a well protected area.  Then on our perimeter is around 540 traps".

There is no fencing at Pukaha Mount Bruce due to the rough terrain and streams that run in and out of the reserve.  It is a well researched topic and all experts agree, the area is unfenceable.  Our pest control programme and forest restoration programmes are the most expensive things we do.

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