Stoat traps are being vandalised on the Pauanui-Tairua trail.
Stoat traps are being vandalised on the Pauanui-Tairua trail.
Determined criminals appear to be set on disrupting the otherwise successful predator control system put in place by the Hauraki District Trust on the Pauanui Tairua Trail.
In 2015 the trust purchased a small number of Good Nature traps for rats and stoats.
"These traps have destroyed about 30 predatorsduring the past 12 months," spokesman Barry Gunson said.
"Three of these specially designed traps have been stolen at different times during the past few months. The cost of the traps is significant given that the trust is entirely dependent on donated funds.
"The thefts are bad news for the many supporters of the trail who welcome efforts to preserve birds and wildlife, including some endangered species.
"But above all the thefts are a gratuitous insult to the small number of volunteers who have spent hundreds of hours monitoring, baiting and resetting the traps on a regular basis," Mr Gunson said.
The trust is confident that the control programme has contributed to an increase in the birdlife in the area.
"In particular, some birds are now returning to nest in the wetlands. A number of these birds nest at, or just above, ground level and their chicks are easy prey."
He asked that anyone with knowledge of anything that might relate to the thefts of the traps to contact trail 'boss' Gary Fowler ph (07) 864-7839 or the police.
