Makarora Trapping Programme
Increasing concern over the dwindling mohua population at Makarora led the Central Otago Lakes Branch of Forest & Bird to establish a predator trapping programme in 1998, in conjunction with DOC. Trap lines were set out along the Bridle Track below Haast Pass and around the Blue Pools. Since then the programme has steadily expanded its trapping network to include extensive areas in main Makarora Valley, both branches of the Young Valley, Leven and Ore Rivers and the length of the remote Blue valley.
The programme now operates over 1,500 rat, stoat and possum traps on 15 lines, including two 100m trap grids in areas with particularly high biodiversity values. We also operate 80 live capture cat traps. During 2024/25, a further 1,000 rodent bait stations were put out in prime mohua habitat to tackle an explosion of pests following the beech seed mast the previous year.
A major boost to the programme came in 2021 with the establishment of the Southern Lakes Sanctuary along with significant funding from Government via Jobs For Nature. The programme is guided by a Makarora Predator Control Operational Plan, developed by DOC and Forest & Bird in 2017 and reviewed in 2022.
The traps are run by a group of 70+ volunteers, on a monthly roster of trap clearing and maintenance. Each year the volunteers collectively invest over 3,000 hours of their time, and also cover the costs of transport between Makarora and Wānaka / Hāwea. Trap catch data is recorded in the TrapNZ database and updated monthly. All data related to the project can be seen here: https://catchit.co.nz/apps/dashboard/?Area=MakaroraForestandBird
The success of the trapping programme is assessed by annual mohua population surveys, sponsored by DOC and Southern Lakes Sanctuary. In 2021 Forest & Bird also sponsored a statistical analysis of the survey data. See here: https://southernlakessanctuary.org.nz/about-southern-lakes-sanctuary/reports-reference/
This analysis showed that the mohua population is directly and adversely affected by increasing rat numbers. Rodent populations are monitored by DOC at Makarora by tracking tunnels on a 3-monthly cycles; the Branch and Southern Lakes Sanctuary staff contribute to this monitoring with tracking tunnel lines, chew cards and baited surveillance cameras.
Funding for the programme has come from the Mohua Charitable Trust, DOC, Otago Regional Council, Forest & Bird, Mountain Film Festival, and many individual supporters and donors. Long-term key supporters are Brian and Jannie Gillman.
The trapping group welcomes any individuals or organisations who wish to become involved with the Makarora programme in any way, by volunteering or providing financial support.