logo
Revolutionising Predator Control: A New Wave Of Tech Tools Accelerating New Zealand's Predator Free Mission

Revolutionising Predator Control: A New Wave Of Tech Tools Accelerating New Zealand's Predator Free Mission

Scoop13-05-2025

Aotearoa New Zealand's fight for a predator free future has taken a bold leap forward, with a powerful suite of next-generation tools and technologies already starting to transform pest management across the motu.
Developed through Predator Free 2050 Limited (PF2050 Limited) Products to Projects (P2P) funding of innovation since 2019, 20 cutting-edge tools are becoming operational with more on the way. These tools range from AI-driven detection systems and remote monitoring networks to smarter traps and more targeted toxin use.
Over $8 million in revenue sales to developers has been accomplished to date, with further commitments to purchase from interested parties later this year. A number of these tools are also gaining international attention with sales as far afield as Guam, Scotland, USA and the UK. Not only is this good news for the developers, it's also further growing New Zealand's reputation as global leaders in pest management for conservation.
"These tools are game-changers," says PF2050 Limited Research and Development Project Support Manager Olivia Rothwell. "For example, the 'Backcountry Camera', a remote-reporting thermal camera with onboard AI image recognition, is enabling the maintenance of tens of thousands of hectares of predator free space in Predator Free South Westland."
''This is no longer just about one device. It's an ecosystem of tools-powered by cutting-edge technology, informed by our in-depth knowledge of possums, rats and mustelids, and brought together through local innovation to protect our native species," Rothwell says.
The Toolbox
Better Luring
- PoaUku- Developed by Boffa Miskell, these long-life ceramic-based lures can stay attractive in the field for up to three months and be refilled when they run out. Two versions are available - one for mustelids (stoats, ferrets and weasels) and one for possums and rats.
- EzyLure- Developed by Boffa Miskell, this is a set-and-forget device that automatically dispenses fresh lure at pre-determined intervals. It can be retrofitted to a wide range of existing traps and bait stations and paired with trail cameras for effective monitoring.
- Motolure- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, Motolure dispenses a preset amount of fresh lure for up to one year without requiring manual service. It can be used as a lure for traps, a prefeeding tool, a detection device, and a biomarker tool to monitor predator movements.
Remote Monitoring
- BaitSense- Developed by eTrapper, Baitsense provides a near real-time view of levels in mini Philproof Gen III baitstations. Data is remote-reported and displayed on the Trap.NZ web platform, making it free for the user to be notified if bait is being taken or if a refill is required.
- Backcountry Camera- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, is a remote-reporting thermal video camera with onboard AI image recognition that supports landscape-scale predator surveillance across tens of thousands of hectares in Predator Free South Westland.
- Smart Camera Monitoring System- Developed by Critter Solutions, this trail-camera with onboard AI image recognition and thermal triggering offers improved detection and species recognition. The camera can also send alerts of images taken of target species in real-time.
Remote Communication
- OutPost- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, this is a remote communication system for traps and detection cameras. Outpost can be paired with a range of devices and utilises LoRaWan to send data out of remote landscapes where there is no cell connectivity.
- Flexicomms- Developed by Critter Solutions, Flexicomms is a remote communication platform (web-based front and back end) developed for trap and detection device integration. Currently a cell-based version, it will also utilise OneNZ direct-to-satellite IoT technology.
- Connected Leg-Hold Traps- Developed by Encounter Solutions, this system enables real-time notification from, and monitoring of, leg-hold traps over even challenging topographies (utilising the Celium network, a dynamic low-power long-range communication system).
- Live Capture Remote Locking- Developed by Encounter Solutions, also utilising the Celium network, this system allows users to remotely lock live capture cage-traps, ensuring that animal welfare is maintained when staff are unable to physically disable live capture traps.
Supporting Software
- CamTrap- Developed by Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, this free to use AI image recognition software can identify 11 species and supports the rapid assessment for predator detection of images that standard motion-triggered cameras ('trail cameras') produce.
- Open Sensor Network- Developed by Trap.NZ and using LoRaWAN (a low power long range wide area network protocol), this enables 'off-the-shelf' hardware to send trap-trigger alerts and data directly to the Trap.NZ platform (a free predator control data management app).
- Deployment & Planning Module- Developed by Trap.NZ, these new functions enable Trap.NZ users to better plan predator trapping deployment within the Trap.NZ web app. Recording functions also help users to keep track of landowner permissions and device installations.
Self-resetting Traps
- AT220- Developed by NZ AutoTraps, the AT220 is New Zealand's first multi-species, automatic resetting and re-luring predator trap, controlling both possums and rats for predator free. It has been shown to quickly and effectively control pest populations with minimal labour costs.
- Multi-species AI Kill Trap- Developed by Critter Solutions, this trap with AI species recognition targets mice, rats, mustelids and possums with the highest animal-welfare rating. With open architecture, it can target shy pests while protecting native wildlife.
High-interaction Rate Traps
- High Interaction Rate Trap- Developed by The Cacophony Project, this earlier version of the High Interaction Rate Trap is an open-architecture motion-sensing multi-species cage trap, ideal for targeting remaining hard to control predator individuals, or those re-invading.
- Intelligent High Interaction Rate Trap- The Cacophony Project further developed their trap to include a PIR (passive infrared red) sensor and an automated reset mechanism, further improving its sensitivity for capturing predators and allowing it to be deployed for longer.
- PosStop- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, this is an improved raised set for the leg-hold trapping of possums, still one of the best approaches that we have for helping to eliminate remaining possum individuals following their knock-down control in backcountry landscapes.
Selective Toxin Application
- Wildlife Friendly Bait Station- Developed by Zero Invasive Predators, this bait station effectively delivers toxic bait to predators over long periods while ensuring that non-targets cannot access the bait (with a focus on being safe for kea in backcountry landscapes).
- Possum Spitfire- Developed by Envico Technologies, the Spitfire is a self-resetting, species-specific toxin delivery device, that uses a sensor array to accurately spray liquid toxin onto the stomach of only possums (and no other species), which is then ingested during grooming.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Popular fashion chain to open 10 new stores and upgrade 30 more branches
Popular fashion chain to open 10 new stores and upgrade 30 more branches

Daily Mirror

time16 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Popular fashion chain to open 10 new stores and upgrade 30 more branches

The fashion and homeware retailer has not published a full list of new locations, but revealed it wants to expand its footprint in London, Essex, Hampshire and Northern Ireland Matalan has announced plans to open ten new and relocated stores this year as part of a £25million investment. The fashion and homeware retailer has not published a full list of new locations, but revealed it wants to expand its footprint in London, Essex, Hampshire and Northern Ireland. ‌ Matalan will also upgrade 30 existing stores, including improving layouts and store designs, for example by relocating services such as fitting rooms and tills, plus easier-to-use self-service checkouts in larger checkout areas. ‌ Some of its recently refurbished stores include Croydon, Linwood, Bristol Filton, and Dumfries. It marks the first phase of a long-term plan to modernise its store estate over the next three to five years, and comes after the retailer secured £25million of additional funding from investors last month. Matalan will also use the new funding to invest in the launch of a new app. Matalan has around 230 stores across the UK and 50 international branches. James Dorling, Matalan's Property Director, said: 'Matalan storefronts have been a fixture of UK communities for 40 years, so it is only right that bricks-and-mortar retail remains at the centre of our transformation programme. 'With ten exciting new store openings and extensive refurbishments across our estate, this investment marks a step-change in our strategy – creating a better, more seamless shopping experience for our loyal existing customers, while also introducing the Matalan brand to new consumers.' But in less good news, Matalan recently recalled three children's clothes products over fears tots could end up getting strangled. The retailer pulled its blue shark rash vest and shorts, its seersucker swimshorts in blue and boys tie dye swimshorts. ‌ If you've purchased one of these products, you should return it to your nearest Matalan for a full refund. You won't need your receipt to get your money back. These items were on sale from January 12, 2025 until March 17, 2025. In a recall notice published by Matalan, the retailer said: 'It has come to our attention that the above Boy's swim shorts do not meet our usual high standards for quality and safety, as there is high possibility of Entrapment and Strangulation with the draw cord. 'As customer safety is our highest priority, we are immediately recalling these swim shorts. If you've bought any of the swim shorts shown above, please do not use the product and return it at your earliest convenience to your nearest Matalan store where our staff will be happy to give you a full refund. 'You will not need to produce a receipt to claim a refund. If you have bought the above for someone else or know someone who has one then please let them know immediately about this notice.'

John Lewis to slim down staff committee to accelerate decisions
John Lewis to slim down staff committee to accelerate decisions

Yahoo

time16 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

John Lewis to slim down staff committee to accelerate decisions

John Lewis is preparing to radically slim down an influential staff committee in a bid to accelerate decision-making. The retail giant will cut the size of its partnership council by a quarter from this autumn, meaning the number of staff sitting on the committee will fall from 57 to 43. It forms part of an attempt to bolster turnaround efforts at John Lewis, as bosses scramble to improve productivity. The partnership council is John Lewis's most senior staff committee and forms a crucial pillar of its democratic structure. Staff elected to the council can steer how the partnership is run, including holding regular votes on strategy and having the ability to change its constitution. They are also consulted on issues such as staff bonuses and have a small portion of the total budget to invest in wellbeing benefits. In extreme circumstances, they also have the power to dismiss the chairman. John Lewis is understood to have told staff the planned shake-up has been driven by the fact that its current structure 'relies too heavily on hierarchy and escalation'. Under the planned staff rethink, the partnership will also bring back local forums, which will allow staff across its Waitrose supermarkets and department stores to put forward their views. The changes will come into force from October. It comes as John Lewis kicks ahead with a turnaround push to return the business to 'sustainable' profits, after years of losing ground to rivals. The partnership lost money for three years in a row before returning to profit in 2023. In its most recent accounts for the year to the end of January, profits before tax and exceptional items jumped from £42m to £126m, while sales rose by 3pc to £12.8bn. Jason Tarry, who replaced Dame Sharon White as chairman last year, said John Lewis needed to focus on 'considerable catch-up investment in our stores and supply chain'. John Lewis said it reviewed its democratic model every three years when the council term concluded. A spokesman said: 'This will see a stronger focus on local forums to raise local partner opinion alongside a tighter partnership council to support faster decision making. 'The updates have been made in close consultation with our partners – and the power of our council, and the vital role it plays in governing our business remains unchanged.' Recently, the partnership has been facing mounting pressure to restore its staff bonus, which it axed to focus on improving stores and boosting pay rates. Last year marked the third consecutive year that staff did not receive their partnership bonus, and only the fourth time since 1953. In recent weeks, a petition on the campaign website Organise gained more than 4,000 signatures from workers past and present demanding the bonus be reinstated. A spokesman for John Lewis said: 'Our partners understand that we're focused on improving their base pay and investing to create a sustainable business. 'Our bonus remains an important feature of our employee-owned model, and we confirmed in March that we're determined to reinstate it as quickly as possible. We're proud of our unique benefits package and we want to do even to recognise our brilliant partners.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store