Kennedy Point Rat Trial

You may have seen recently that there have been adaptations to the operational rat pilot due to Omicron disruptions. In the adapted pilot design, there are three separate operational trials to answer the specific questions that island-wide eradication poses. Over the next week, we will outline how each of the trials work and what will be learned from them.

The Kennedy Point trap trial will run from May to October using only traps to remove rats in the area. This trial will cover 30ha and contain a network of 490 traps. It is designed to learn whether rats can be completely removed using traps alone, to gain more understanding about installations in challenging terrain such as cliffs, and immigration patterns of rats from outside the trial area.

“A trapping trial is critical to be able to answer questions about the capability of traps to get rats to zero,” says seabird and island restoration specialist Biz Bell.

“It is likely that a range of methods will be needed to successfully eradicate rats from Waiheke. It’s important to determine the scale in which traps can work successfully when considering areas that might have to use them such as organic farms or vineyards.

“Determining operational requirements such as staffing, number of checks, the efficacy of bait/lures and the positioning of traps will maximise the success of this method across varied landscapes and habitats.”

Inside the trapping area is the Kennedy Point wharf which poses a risk of invasion of rats from vessels and ferries.

“The trial will also be used to test biosecurity strategies and detection methods including monitoring tools such as wax blocks, chew cards, tracking tunnels and cameras, to identify incursion events. Identifying all biosecurity risks and possible incursion routes is a critical part of the trial and ongoing biosecurity strategy.”

“I realise that some members of the community might be disappointed that the trial area has been reduced, but even in these reduced sites, key questions and parameters of the future island-wide eradication will be answered.”

If you have any questions about the Kennedy Point Trapping Trial, send your questions through to rob@tekorowaiowaiheke.org.