Lake Rotopounamu Trappers Needed
Project Tongariro is on the hunt for some star trappers, keen to volunteer fortnightly, checking traps and occasionally helping with forest health monitoring.
The purpose of the predator traps at Rotopounamu is to primarily control stoats to a very low level to allow kaka and kakariki to increase in numbers and thrive. Stoats are the most significant predator of kaka and kakariki while females and young nestlings are on the nest, because they nest in holes in trees. Adult birds are very rarely predated by stoats. We currently have about 350 predator traps in the mature forest surrounding Lake Rotopounamu, the most northern part of Tongariro National Park. The traps protect approximately 1300 hectare and they are mostly single-set DOC200 traps, with a minor number of other types traps running along the northern farm boundary.
Trapper Ardy with her triumphant catch from Rotopounamu.
Trappers Helen, Sarah and Zavra look for squashed trap, under a fallen tree at Rotopounamu.
The trap lines are 'off track' and can take anywhere between 2hrs - 6hrs to complete, and take you through this idyllic central plateau forest. The trap lines are well-marked, and we can also provide you with GPS coordinates if you wish. Training is offered to all new trapping volunteers and we can pair you up with an experienced trapper until you are confident to take on lines by yourself. It would suit someone who is an experienced tramper and comfortable in the bush. We run a 'self rostering' system, where you can see at a glance what lines need doing, and when you roster yourself (or you and a friend) on a trap line, you have a week to complete it - so this takes into account your life and the weather! We record our trap catches on www.trap.nz, we also give you training on how to do this, but if this is not for you, we can do this part for you.
Colette Taylor, a local volunteer trapper recently told us why she loves Rotopounamu and why she volunteers; “I call it my happy place, especially when in the thick of the bush doing a trapline. A peace and serenity descends whenever I am in the bush. I feel a connectedness with nature and a sense of belonging. I am always awed by the beauty of the bush; there is such variety to marvel at from the stature and mana of the giant canopy trees to the tiniest fungi. A highlight is to have meetings and conversations with birds, especially whitehead, tui, bellbirds, robins, tomtits, kaka and the occasional rifleman. I also feel privileged to be enveloped in Pihanga's warmth and care. Trapping is my way of feeding my soul but also helping to ensure our beautiful birds for all to enjoy in the future”.
If you would like to find out more, please get in touch. We would love to grow our passionate and dedicated team of Rotopounamu trappers!