'Play gym' trap helps capture seven stoats at pest-free Shakespear Regional Park
Seven stoats have been captured during an outbreak at Shakespear Regional Park, however it is estimated there could be around four more.
A stoat was first spotted in the 500-hectare pest-free sanctuary at the end of 2020. It later gave birth, meaning there may be up to 11 stoats wreaking havoc among the park's wildlife.
Two female stoats have been trapped this month, and last week the cameras spotted a stoat checking out a stoat “play gym” – a pile of debris placed on a log bridge and with traps inside – where one of its “presumed siblings” was trapped on July 2.
“We treat this positively as it is knowledge to inform next steps and a head start on where to target this next animal,” senior ranger at the sanctuary Matt Maitland said.
“There is genuine excitement that we are making progress, tempered with healthy realism of the task still ahead of us.”
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Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
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Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.7% Yes
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33.5% Maybe?
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24.8% No
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
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