Yuk.....but..

fantastic.  Our local U3A group has joined Whakarewarewa Pest Free, a  volunteer organisation which is working to reduce the number of introduced predators which have over the years impacted heavily on the native bird population.  We have been given the track around Lake Tikitapu (the Blue Lake) to monitor. Yesterday 63 rat traps were laid along a section of the track and today 6 of us went out to learn what needs to be done on a weekly basis. A group of four will be responsible for a line of 14 traps. I wasn't sure how I'd cope with any rats as I really detest them with a passion but it was actually okay.  I can manage it! They are killed in humanely approved traps and no poison is allowed to be used. The bait is peanut buttter. Incredibly we found 13 rats and 3 mice today in the traps which were only set yesterday.