A sneaky stoat has made its way to Newlands!

Last week, a stoat was seen running between the Intermediate and the College down our shared steps. Stoats are a huge threat to our native bird population. Originally, stoats were introduced to keep rabbit populations down but have since become a pest in their own right. 

Stoats have great eyesight, hearing and sense of smell. They can travel great distances and swim. All of these attributes make them skilful hunters. Sometimes they are hard to catch because they are cautious and clever.

Predator Free Newlands is going to help us catch the stoat and help save our native wildlife. They have requested a DOC200 trap from the Wellington City Council. We will set this up safely in the community to catch that stoat. Or was it a weasel? Only time will tell!

UPDATE!! A stoat has been caught in one of the Predator Free Newlands traps. This could be our stoat! Hopefully there was only one but we will continue to be vigilant in our trapping.