Trapping is very fun. It’s where you set up a small trap and put it in a box. It might sound boring but when you catch something you should be super happy! This is because then you have stopped another rodent that could possibly eat our wētā, native lizards, native bird eggs and chicks.

A few weeks ago Whaea Leanne taught us how to safely set a trap. We observed how to clear the trap and reset it. A week later, my friend Miles and I were allocated this trap as our one to look after. We went to check ours and we saw that it was turned by 90 degrees. At first we didn't think anything of it. Then we noticed that the trap was closed which gave us hope.

We took off the back and tipped the box but it wouldn’t come out! Then we saw a little bit of fluff so we had a closer look and there it was - a giant rat! It was about 20-25 cm long. At this point we got very excited. We gave the box a little shake and it came out a little but not fully. I put my hand in and grabbed the trap but didn’t touch the rat. Miles went to go get the others. Everyone in the trapping team came, they were all so happy that we had made a catch. I took the dead rat to the skip and we reset the trap, ready for our next one.

That was my first experience of trapping and we caught a rat. My first experience was amazing so you should start trapping too!