Kinloch pest group pleased with results

Kinloch pest group members Mark Gibson (left) and Ian Triscott pictured on the Whangamata Stream walking/cycle track where traps are being set by volunteers to rid the area of rats and other pests.

A Kinloch pest group waging war on rodents and other pests threatening native bird species has achieved impressive results in the past six months.

In the last three months, trap stations along the Whangamata Stream have netted 193 rats, 269 mice, three stoats, two ferrets, five possums and 11 hedgehogs.

The group was established at the beginning of the year and has around 25 members and around 300 traps in bush and reserve areas around the lakeside settlement.

Spokesman Mark Gibson says up to 10 residents check the traps daily and reset them and the group is "pretty pleased" with the results.

The pest eradication programme at Kinloch was sparked by the success of similar groups in Pukawa and Kuratau at the southern end of the lake whose members visited Kinloch to give them tips on how to start up.

Mr Gibson says Taupo District Council and Bike Taupo donated 70 traps to the Kinloch Residents' Association for the Whangamata Stream reserve and DoC reserve at the western edge of the township.

He says fundraising efforts, and support from local businesses and other community agencies had enabled the group to purchase more traps. Local real estate agent Kim Fraser had pledged to donate a trap for every sale she makes, and this month dropped off two self-setting traps for the group.

Mr Gibson says the aim is to try and encourage every resident in the lakeside settlement to purchase a DOC200 trap for their own property.

"It would make a massive difference."

He says the pest group is able to purchase the traps for between $55 to $60 and it seems a small investment to help rid the settlement of rats and other pests.

To find out more about the Kinloch Pest Group contact Mark Gibson on 027 654 0550.