Cameras donated to Predator Free
Big brother is always watching.
At least for the pests in and around Centennial Park and the Highfield Golf Course.
Six AI cameras have been gifted to Predator Free Timaru from the Timaru Rotary Club.
Predator Free committee member Tim Exton said he was "absolutely thrilled" with the donation.
Mr Exton said during the day the cameras monitored bird sound and bird life, and at night they worked as a thermal camera, being able to identify pests.
He said trapping was a science, but if people were unsure what they were trying to trap then it was not much good.
As one predator was removed from the area, then another one might become more prevalent.
As an example, where Mr Exton had trapped along the river, it had shown when stoats were removed, weasels moved in.
Trapping their food source could result in them "prey switching" from rabbits to potentially a native prey.
He said the cameras assisting trapping should see a change in birds around the areas, including more native species like tui and kereru.
He said cameras would help them identify their successes and their failures.
Rotary Club spokesman Lionel Wilson said that as part of a weekend of connection among Rotary groups across the region earlier this year, 120 traps were made.
Those traps had been placed in backyards around the golf course and the park.
Mr Wilson said Predator Free Timaru members were "busy people" so when he saw an advertisement come up for Every Corner Project, which was run by Air New Zealand he was quick to apply.
The project aimed to give money to groups that were helping the environment.
The project had 640 applications for the $1.2 million of funding.
When they were selected as one of the 100 projects to be given funding, Mr Wilson said the club used the $10,343.10 to purchase six cameras and batteries.
Mr Exton said, "Lionel's great, he's got time and knowledge to do it, and do it successfully.
"He has bolstered our work tenfold."
While Mr Exton was not a Rotary member he said "I threatened to join them".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Cameras donated to Predator Free
Timaru Rotary Club member Lionel Wilson (left) and owner of 2040 Ltd Shaun Ryan are all smiles at the prospect of a predator-free Timaru while picking up the AI cameras last week are. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Big brother is always watching. At least for the pests in and around Centennial Park and the Highfield Golf Course. Six AI cameras have been gifted to Predator Free Timaru from the Timaru Rotary Club. Predator Free committee member Tim Exton said he was "absolutely thrilled" with the donation. Mr Exton said during the day the cameras monitored bird sound and bird life, and at night they worked as a thermal camera, being able to identify pests. He said trapping was a science, but if people were unsure what they were trying to trap then it was not much good. As one predator was removed from the area, then another one might become more prevalent. As an example, where Mr Exton had trapped along the river, it had shown when stoats were removed, weasels moved in. Trapping their food source could result in them "prey switching" from rabbits to potentially a native prey. He said the cameras assisting trapping should see a change in birds around the areas, including more native species like tui and kereru. He said cameras would help them identify their successes and their failures. Rotary Club spokesman Lionel Wilson said that as part of a weekend of connection among Rotary groups across the region earlier this year, 120 traps were made. Those traps had been placed in backyards around the golf course and the park. Mr Wilson said Predator Free Timaru members were "busy people" so when he saw an advertisement come up for Every Corner Project, which was run by Air New Zealand he was quick to apply. The project aimed to give money to groups that were helping the environment. The project had 640 applications for the $1.2 million of funding. When they were selected as one of the 100 projects to be given funding, Mr Wilson said the club used the $10,343.10 to purchase six cameras and batteries. Mr Exton said, "Lionel's great, he's got time and knowledge to do it, and do it successfully. "He has bolstered our work tenfold." While Mr Exton was not a Rotary member he said "I threatened to join them".
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Hurunui Council Raises Impact Of Feral Cats On Rural Environments
Hurunui District Council is urging the Department of Conservation to consider feral cats in its long-term goal to eliminate harmful predators from the country. Council is submitting on the Predator Free 2050 Strategy Review and the Implementation Plan for Te Mana o te Taiao – Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020. Council's Water and Land Coordinator Rima Herber, on behalf of a Council working group including West Ward councillors Tom Davies, Ross Barnes, and Dave Hislop, presented draft submissions for endorsement at last week's Council meeting. Herber said while the intention of Predator Free 2050 is to remove rats, mustelids and possums from New Zealand by 2050, it was appropriate for Council to advocate for cats to be included in the longer term - along with mice and hedgehogs if technologies became available to make this possible and practical. A first step would be to legislate for domestic cats to be registered, microchipped and desexed. These measures would help reduce the number of stray cats that become feral, Herber said. 'There are an estimated $22.5 million feral cats in New Zealand. As a rural council, Hurunui is very aware of the harm feral cats are doing to indigenous wildlife, and aware of how many cats there are in our environment. 'If feral cats aren't included as a pest species it is questionable if predator removal is worthwhile in some environments.' Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black said feral cats were a major issue in looking after Hurunui's indigenous wildlife and, from a farming perspective, the diseases feral cats carried were a 'massive threat' to domestic stock across the district. Herber said Council broadly supports both strategy reviews but raises several issues for further consideration, including consideration for incentives and support for private landowners, catchment groups, the QEII Trust, and community conservation groups working to both eliminate predators and protect biodiversity. 'Biodiversity protection should not be an added financial burden on landowners.' For community groups, support could be in the form of funding for paid coordinators to optimise work already being carried out in communities. Cr Fiona Harris said many of the district's rural residents and Hurunui farmers had put significant time and effort into indigenous biodiversity protection. 'It's good to see that we recognise that, and support them as well, because for many of them it's a deep money hole doing a lot of this work.' Cr Harris said many in Hurunui's communities and schools were supporting Predator Free initiatives. A coordinator would make a big difference 'because sometimes it's just knowing where to be and who to get in touch with - it's a massive body of work and challenging for the whole country, so we have to optimise what we can'. Herber said it was important to maintain the gains already made in predator control 'as a priority'. 'It is better to secure the areas that are predator free and keep them that way, than spread effort thinly and lose the gains.'
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Rotary Park track nears completion
Hundreds of hours of volunteer effort by local Rotarians are really paying off at Rotary Park, where a new, accessible loop track is nearing completion. The Waverley park is the focus of a major project to upgrade it, build tracks, plant native trees and shrubs and install shelters and equipment to make it a great place to visit for locals and tourists alike. Rotary Dunedin has rallied the city's seven Rotary clubs, Rotaract and other volunteers to tackle the project, working alongside Mountain Biking Otago stalwart and track-building expert Hamish Seaton. So far, the volunteers have put in 500 hours of work on the project since work began early last year, not including working bees for planting. Leading the project are Rotary Dunedin members Gordon Tucker and Peter Jackson, working alongside Mr Seaton and Dunedin City Council parks and recreation staff, who are delighted with the progress made on the upgrade so far. Mr Tucker said Mr Seaton and a large team of volunteers had virtually completed the 1km top loop track, which had been smoothed out and gravelled to make it easy to walk on and accessible for prams and wheelchairs. "The loop track now has a maximum gradient of 3 degrees, which means that most people should be able to walk on it easily, or use wheelchairs," Mr Tucker said. "And while people are out there getting some exercise, they can enjoy the spectacular 360 degree views over the harbour and the city," he said. The response of local residents to the project so far had been very positive. "We have had amazing feedback from locals, who have been telling us it is being used by a lot of people already, which is great to hear." Mr Jackson said, along with working on the top loop track, the Rotarians and volunteers were holding multiple working bees to plant hundreds of native trees and plants at Rotary Park. "So far, we have planted about 1200 natives, all with a maximum height of 3m, to beautify and provide shelter while protecting the view and the neighbours," he said. The most recent working bee was held over King's Birthday weekend, when Rotary district 9999 (South Island) district governor Dave McKissock visited the city for a "weekend of connection". Despite cold and rainy weather, Mr McKissock joined local Rotarians and visitors from Queenstown and Christchurch in planting more than 300 natives at the park. "It was great to have them here to acknowledge our efforts and take part," Mr Jackson said. More planting sessions are planned as the winter progresses. Now that the top loop track is complete, apart from some bedding in, the project will move towards working on building a steeper track from the bottom of the park to Harbour Heights. "We are hoping to have the track network completed by the end of 2025," he said. It is hoped future phases of the project will include shelters, seating, a barbecue area and a bike skills track.
