Ranger Warren Hunt at Bottle Lake Forest Park. Photo / Eleisha Foon
By RNZ
Six leg-hold traps have been found within a popular Christchurch recreation and dog-walking area.
The traps were found in the north-west area of Christchurch's Bottle Lake Forest Park.
Christchurch City Council's Bottle Lake Forest Park ranger, Warren Hunt, said they believe the traps were laid by a member of the public who is trapping possums for their fur.
"The purpose of a leg-hold trap is to trap the possum, but not kill it, which makes it easier to pluck the possum," Hunt said.
"Possum fur is a good price at the moment. They kill it and then pluck it straight away and the fur is easier to pull out."
Hunt said the people responsible may feel they are carrying out pest control, but he said it was a public area and there was a real risk to dogs and children who touched the traps.
Rangers are still checking the area where the traps were found every day, but Hunt said they are fairly confident they have found them all.
Hunt said the traps themselves are not gin-traps and not illegal, but putting them in a reserve is illegal.
The traps have been handed over to police, and Hunt said he hoped the loss of the traps will be enough of a deterrent to stop the behaviour.
The traps are generally laid on the ground at the base of trees.
Hunt said the area where the traps were found is not a high-use area, but they were found and reported by dog walkers.
Anyone who finds a trap in the park is advised to activate it with a stick or mud clod, and contact the council so it can be removed.
Hunt said they have had no reports of dogs or people being injured by the traps.
- RNZ
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