TRAP CAN BE CHOOSY ABOUT ITS PREY

He said his traps would not trigger prematurely through knocks or snow dumps or if birds or other non-targeted species stepped over the trigger. He even threw a trap around his living room, without setting it off, to demonstrate how stable it was. “the bait becomes a structural part of the trap.” Mr Thomas said the traps were also more humane as pests were more likely to be hit on the neck or head. Their other great advantage for conservation work was the lightweight, durable trap tunnel, or station, he had also developed, which meant they were much lighter for field workers to carry.

“The field workers I have spoken to that use it, love it.” Mr Thomas said the inspiration for the design came to him while he was working on a pest eradication project on Breaksea Island in Fiordland in the 1980s. He has tinkered with the project for decades but totally focused on it only in the last three to four years. “Suddenly, I find I’m Retired biologist who owns a company (call Ka Mate Traps).” He plans to sell traps in four sizes, targeting a wide range of pests, for about $20 including GST.

Below is a small animation of the trap.

More information on the product can be found on Ka Mate Traps website.