Eradication Project Progress
1 September 2023
Stoat Eradication Plan Amendments - May 2023
The original Mustelid Eradication Plan (MEP) for Waiheke Island was published in November 2019. This new document supplements this plan and includes the learnings to date as well as the the detect and response plan implemented in April 2022.
Between February 2020 and May 2023, no ferrets or weasels were sighted or caught in the 1650 traps across the island. Te Korowai o Waiheke’s Technical Advisory Group have agreed that stoats are the only mustelid on Waiheke Island. Therefore, from now on the plan will be referred to as the Stoat eradication plan. Amendments to this plan will be made annually after the denning/dispersal season.
January 2023
110,000 Trap Services
The island-wide stoat eradication team started 2023 by reaching another huge milestone - 110,000 trap services since the trial began in February 2020. These services have been carried out on stoats traps spanning the whole motu - that’s a LOT of legwork!
As always, a big thank you to all the volunteers, farm staff, contractors, and trappers who have put in the hard kilometres and of course to all those hosting stoat traps; without your participation, this great mahi wouldn't be possible.
October 2022
100,000 Trap Services
The island-wide stoat eradication team have together reached the massive milestone of 100,000 trap services since the trial began in February 2020.
A big thank you to all the volunteers, farm staff, contractors and trappers who have put in the hard kilometres and of course to all those hosting stoat traps; without your participation, this great mahi wouldn't be possible.
June 2022
90,000 Trap Services
The island-wide stoat eradication team have reached a huge 90,000 stoat trap services since the project began in February 2020.
During the winter months when the trap services intervals are longer, the team are using the extra time to audit all the traps in the network so they are in pristine condition for the spring breeding season. Thank you to everyone involved in reaching this milestone, bring on the 100k!
March 2022
80,000 Trap Services
The island-wide stoat eradication team have hit the 80,000 trap services milestone!
Stoat geneticist Dr Andrew Veale has been analysing Waiheke stoat genetics since 2018 and has concluded recently that numbers are below carrying capacity on Waiheke which means they're headed towards zero.
According to Dr Veale, kākā are a good indicator species for stoat numbers on Waiheke as they are not predated on by rats as well. Given the increase of kākā numbers seen on Waiheke recently, this further supports the hypothesis that stoat numbers are low on the island
January 2022
70,000 Trap Services
In an eradication, it is the effort over time that is most crucial. As stoat numbers continue to drop on the island, trappers are out there every day, maintaining trap standards come rain, sun or sweltering heat.
"In an eradication, it is the last individual that is the ultimate focus, not the first 999 or however large the population may be," says eradication expert Richard Griffiths. "This means that every time a stoat encounters a trap, it has to walk away learning nothing about the hazardous nature of the device or its encounter is a lethal one."
A big thanks to all the trappers that are part of the island wide stoat eradication. You're doing great work.
October 2021
60,000 Trap Services
The stoat eradication team has just completed 60,000 trap services on over 1600 traps!!! Well done team.
Given we are now moving into the stoat denning season, the frequency of trap checks will increase to once every seven days, an increase from once every 10 days in spring and once every 15 days in winter. Stoat sightings are important so remember if you see a stoat, please call 0800 BIRDSONG or email info@tekorowaiowaiheke.org
September 2021
55,000 Trap Services
In an incredible eradication collaboration, committed volunteers, contractors, farm staff, community groups, park rangers and Te Korowai o Waiheke field team, have worked together to service over 1600 traps more than 55,000 times since the beginning of 2020. This milestone coincides with the removal of 100 stoats out of the Waiheke environment.
24 June 2021
90 Stoats in the bag!
The stoat eradication team is excited to have reached the milestone of 90 stoats!
Elaine Murphy, DOC Principle Scientist (and part-time Waiheke resident), thinks it is likely that the increase in kaka numbers seen across Waiheke island recently can be attributed to the removal of so many stoats. Kaka were first reported in Onetangi several years ago, where stoat control has been happening with the stoat pilot project in 2016/17 and the Waiheke Collective Stoat project since 2018.
Update 13 April 2021
80 Stoats Caught!
The eradication team is excited to have taken 80 stoats out of the Waiheke environment as we head into winter. Over the summer period, it is likely that many of this season's juvenile stoats were caught. However, it is important to keep the traps open over winter to minimise the potential breeding numbers in the spring. A massive thank you to all involved, we are thrilled with this result!
Update 23 February 2021
Sixth Stoat catch milestone hit!
The stoat catch tally has now hit 70!
The eradication team is excited to have passed the milestone of catching 70 stoats! With 70 stoats taken out of the Waiheke Island population, our native bird eggs and chicks have a much higher chance of making it through to adulthood. Thanks to all involved!
Update 2 February 2021
Fifth Stoat catch milestone hit!
The stoat catch tally has now hit 60!
The eradication team are thrilled to have caught 60 stoats this week. The most recent stoat catch followed a stoat sighting reported by a member of the public, and after freshening up traps in the area it was caught 4 days later. If you see a stoat, it is helpful if you report it straight away, so the eradication team has the best chance to respond.
Update 15th December 2020
Fourth Stoat catch milestone hit!
The stoat catch tally has now hit 50!
Only two weeks after our third stoat milestone of 40 stoats, we have reached our fourth stoat milestone! The eradication team are thrilled to have hit 50 stoats this week. There are multiple trappers involved in the island-wide stoat eradication and these groups have caught at least one stoat; Waiheke Collective Stoat Project, Awawaroa Ecovillage, Whakanewha Regional Park, Man o War Station, Ngati Paoa, volunteers, contractors, and the Te Korowai o Waiheke Field Team.
Update 30 November 2020
Third stoat catch milestone hit!
The stoat catch tally has now hit 42!
The eradication team are excited to have exceeded the third milestone of 40 stoats as we head into the peak time of year for stoat activity. The trap network has also caught 576 rodents and 137 hedgehogs in this same time period. Stoats are currently leaving the dens and will be dispersing in the next couple of weeks - please let us know if you see any sightings of family groups of stoats - 0800BIRDSONG or info@tekorowaiowaiheke.org
Update 8 October 2020
Second stoat catch milestone hit!
The stoat catch tally has now hit 32!
The team are excited to have exceeded the second milestone of 30 stoats as we head into spring. The trap network has also caught 498 rodents and 118 hedgehogs in the last five months. All of these catches are good news for our Waiheke Island wildlife!
Update 13 July 2020
First stoat catch milestone hit
The stoat catch tally has now hit 23!
The traps have only been open for eleven weeks (not including the eight week shutdown due to Covid-19) so it’s exciting to exceed 20 stoats, the first trap catch milestone. We have also in that time caught 270 rodents and 45 hedgehogs, which have increased significantly in the last month because it is colder and there is less food around, so they are attracted to the traps’ warmth, shelter, and food.
1500 traps have been laid out at regular intervals across the island.