Fiordland Wapiti Foundation stoat trapping

Fiordland’s Wapiti hunters are taking aim at a new species by complementing DOC’s predator control work with stoat trapping in the Glaisnock Wilderness Area of Fiordland National Park.

Since 2001, as part of the Operation Ark Project the department has been carrying out stoat control work in the area adjacent to the Worsley and Castle Rivers for the benefit of many native species including whio, kiwi, robins, mohua, kaka and weka.

Whio monitoring in Sinbad Gully,
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi

As the population of whio were increasing in the Clinton, Arthur and Cleddau catchments, the juveniles were moving into new territory and leaving the safe environment of stoat trapped areas.

When this trend was realised in 2004, the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation saw an opportunity to take action. The two hundred member strong group realised that if they complemented the stoat trapping work already being done by the Department of Conservation in the neighbouring valleys, they could help to ensure whio stayed in the area and survived.

The Les Hutchins Conservation Foundation became the major sponsor of the initial set up costs and has pledged ongoing support for a number of years to come.

Te Anau Placemakers provided the timber and other materials to make all the trap boxes and Southern Lakes Helicopters have assisted with transporting the volunteer trappers.

The hunter’s efforts have enabled an additional 26 kilometres of river valley to be managed.