Tracking Down a FerretProtecting our Precious Kiwi Population
In a recent success story for The Forest Bridge Trust’s Predator Control team, a determined effort to capture a cunning male ferret came to a triumphant close. Ferrets, as members of the mustelid family, pose a severe threat to New Zealand’s unique wildlife, particularly to ground-nesting birds like the kiwi. Native to Europe and introduced to New Zealand in the late 1800s to control rabbits, ferrets are now invasive predators, preying on a range of native species. They are adept hunters, capable of killing adult kiwi and devastating entire nests, making their presence in conservation areas a critical concern.
The team initially spotted this particular ferret on trail cameras set up around Schollum Road, Matakana. Typically, the team sees ferrets passing through, but this male was different. Footage showed him marking his territory, suggesting he intended to stay in the area, heightening the risk he posed to native wildlife, especially the vulnerable Tamahunga kiwi population.
Determined to act swiftly, our Predator Control team set out to capture the intruder. They consulted with mustelid expert John Bissel, who suggested the team to use a unique lure: a male ferret skin. This scent-based approach mimics another ferret’s presence, which often draws territorial males into the trap. The team deployed this lure in a boxed Steve Allan Trap, a more specialised and targeted trap designed for difficult-to-catch predators. Previous attempts to capture the ferret with DOC traps and food-based lures had failed, so a new approach was required this time.
With the new strategy in place, dedicated trapper Eliane took charge, closely monitoring trail cameras and meticulously positioning the trap in a prime location. Her persistence paid off; within days, the lure worked, and the ferret was finally caught.
Tracey then took on the task of preparing the ferret’s body for genetic testing by wildlife ecologist Andrew Veale at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. As she bagged the specimen, she remarked on the unmistakable, pungent odour—a scent strikingly similar to that of an otter enclosure at the zoo. To gather additional insights, Tracey examined the ferret’s stomach for any traces of its last meal but found its digestive tract completely empty.
This capture highlights the dedication and expertise of our Predator Control team and the Tamahunga Trappers, whose tireless efforts safeguard our native species. It’s an incredible reminder of the critical work involved in predator control, as well as the challenges of outsmarting such a cunning adversary.
With every ferret captured, we take one more step towards creating a safer environment for our precious kiwi and other native species. Congratulations to the team on a job well done, and thank you for your ongoing commitment to protecting our wildlife!
With Jobs for Nature Funding coming to an end in 2025 we are now asking for help from the public to continue and build on the predator control measures we have in place across the Rodney and Kaipara regions. Please donate to our appeal so that we can all help to protect kiwi and native species from pest animals.