Episode Three: Helping Samoa's wildlife

In the final episode of our three part series, Sian and the team in Samoa check for rat activity by examining the chew cards and trail cameras that were installed earlier in the week at Malololelei reserve.

Over the three days that these bait stations were out, Sifuiva Moeumu Uili from the Samoan Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment confirms that more than half of the stations now show evidence of rats!

As we know from our experience in New Zealand, rats are so detrimental to native species, they raid bird’s nests to eat both the eggs and the chicks and also have a huge impact on native reptiles. Their presence will inhibit other species from flourishing and as Sian explains, you can end up with a situation where there are plenty of rats in an area but next to no other wildlife present.

The manumea is Samoa’s only endemic pigeon and therefore holds the special place of being their national bird – much like our kiwi! With only 500 found in the wild in 2006, this called for an extensive approach to pest control. 

We’d like to thank Gerwyn Jones and PelGar International Ltd for supplying all of the rodenticide and bait stations for this important conservation work.

The Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund enables our staff to give their time and expertise to protect precious wildlife in New Zealand and abroad.
Give endangered wildlife a chance at survival by donating to our Conservation Fund here. 

Predator Free 2050

The goal for Predator Free 2050 is to rid New Zealand from introduced possums, rats and stoats by the year 2050 - this will have not only a huge impact on our native bird and reptile species but will also provide a massive benefit to our tourism and primary industries. 

All of New Zealand's endemic animals - like our kiwi, kākāpō and tuatara, evolved without mammalian predators, if we can make New Zealand predator free this would mean threatened, vulnerable and even critically endangered species would be able to flourish. 

You can read more information about this important goal on the Department of Conservation website.