Predator Free Russell

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Predator Free Russell

We're a community-led PF2050 project eradicating rats, possums and stoats from the Russell Peninsula!

29/05/2025

Interested in learning more about the Predator Free Russell Project and the Trust?

Pop over to our socials for weekly updates on what the Trust is doing, or head to our website for more details about how to get involved!

👥
🖥 www.russelllandcare.org.nz

28/05/2025

❓How is Russell Landcare Trust Involved?

The Russell Landcare Trust leads several key projects, including the Predator Free Russell! After starting the project in 2022, the Trust created a separate platform to post specific project updates. With the project moving back under the Russell Landcare Trust umbrella recently, we decided to create one point of truth for all of you!

From now on, all Predator Free Russell updates will be posted on our main channels! We’d like to thank you all for your continued support of the project and the Trust, and we can’t wait to continue updating you on our important mahi!

Join us by following the Russell Landcare Trust on
Or check out our website for more information, www.russelllandcare.org.nz

26/05/2025

✨Predator Free Russell builds on the legacy of over 20 years of predator control undertaken on the Russell peninsula! ✨

The project is a joint initiative with Northland Regional Council and Predator Free 2050 Ltd., which aims to eliminate rats, possums and other pests from the 3,000-hectare Russell Peninsula. 🐀

We are one of two Predator Free 2050 projects in Aotearoa, New Zealand, that utilise hand baiting!

We’re proud to use and design innovative, cost-effective ways to achieve eradication without affecting tāonga (treasure) species such as weka and kiwi, which have made their home throughout the peninsula.

Did you know? Predator Free Russell is part of the wider Predator Free Pēwhairangi Whānui programme, which covers the Bay of Islands’ three main peninsulas.

Learn more about the project here - www.russelllandcare.org.nz/predator-free-russell

16/04/2025

Ever wonder why rats chew on everything? Their teeth never stop growing! In just a couple of weeks, a lost incisor can grow right back... 😬

08/04/2025

Predator Free Russell April Update

As autumn settles in, we’ve had no shortage of work, with rat activity increasing due to seasonal changes. Historically, the next few months see the highest pest movement, making this a crucial time for us to intensify our efforts in reducing pest numbers.

Here’s what’s been happening across the peninsula:
✅ Tapeka – 6 rats and 1 possum caught. Wandering cats near kiwi boxes are a growing concern. Please keep your cats indoors at night!
✅ Kororāreka (Russell township) – 42 rats caught (slightly down from Feb). Detection dogs Rapu & Kimi are helping us locate remaining hotspots 🐶
✅ Ōkiato + Te Wahapū – No catches last month! An encouraging sign that our efforts are paying off 💪

📖 Read the full update on our website: https://russelllandcare.org.nz/predator-free-russell-april-2025-update/

Photo: Rapu, Kimi and their human Sally

31/03/2025

Rats, watch out as Rapu, Kimi and their human Sally are back! 🐾🐀

Do you remember Sally Bain and her incredible rat detection dogs, Rapu and Kimi, who visited us in September? Well, they’re back now for another round of tracking down any lingering pests!

Starting tomorrow, Sally, the dogs, and our trappers will be working in Tapeka and Kororāreka township for the next 10 days (except the weekend, as she’s heading to Moturua then).

Last time, Kimi and Rapu helped confirm that we had eliminated nearly all the rats in the Old Russell Peninsula zone, with only one old detection found. Now, they’re here to help us do the same (hopefully) in Tapeka and Kororāreka, making sure our trapping strategy is keeping the rats in check.

If you spot them around, give them a wave 👋 – they’re doing crucial work to help keep our native wildlife safe!

13/03/2025

Latest Project Update 🤓

As summer fades and autumn approaches, our trappers have been busy maintaining traplines and installing new devices to stay ahead of increased rat and possum movement. Here’s what’s been happening in the field:

📍 TAPEKA: Zero rats or possums caught in February! Numbers are holding low, but we’re staying vigilant as movement picks up in autumn.

📍 KORORĀREKA (Russell) township: 33 ship rats caught—a slight drop from last month which is a promising trend.

📍 OKIATO: Just two rats caught near the car ferry, likely sneaky stowaways or strong swimmers from Opua. Our trap network is working to stop them before they settle in!

If you want to read the full update, head to the blog here: https://russelllandcare.org.nz/predator-free-russell-march-2025-update/

04/03/2025

🚫 Got Wasps? We Can Help! 🐝

Predator Free Russell is already tackling wasp nests on our traplines, but if you’ve found a wasp nest lurking on your property, our trappers are happy to lend a hand! 🙌

Why bother removing wasps? 🧐

Well, it’s not just about avoiding those painful stings. 🥴

Introduced wasps are a serious threat to our native birds and insects, devouring honeydew that’s vital for our wildlife and even attacking newly hatched birds.

Let us help keep wasps under control. If you need a nest gone, reach out to us at [email protected] or message us here.

Address

43 Matauwhi Road
Russell
0202

Website

http://www.predatorfreerussell.org.nz/

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