Latest news with #PredatorFree2050Limited
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Scoop
Revolutionising Predator Control: A New Wave Of Tech Tools Accelerating New Zealand's Predator Free Mission
Press Release – Predator Free 2050 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. 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 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 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 platform (a free predator control data management app). – Deployment & Planning Module- Developed by these new functions enable users to better plan predator trapping deployment within the 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.
Scoop
12-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Boots On The Ground Make A $164M Footprint
Predator Free 2050 Limited (PF2050 Limited or the Company) is celebrating remarkable contributions by the collective of predator free landscape projects nationwide. A target of $164M of non-government contribution to work on urban and rural land has been more than met in what is proving to be an unprecedented community effort. "The belief and commitment from communities is truly inspiring," says PF2050 Limited Chair Denise Church. "Having so many people and organisations investing in the movement not only financially but also through in-kind support demonstrates the power of collective action toward achieving the Predator Free 2050 goal." The goal of eradicating rats, mustelids, and possums across two-thirds of Aotearoa New Zealand, the urban and rural areas where people live, work, and play, has morphed from an ambitious "moonshot" into a feasible proposition. Beyond financial backing, volunteer efforts have become an invaluable asset, uniting a generation in a shared purpose and delivering what would normally come with substantial costs. The tireless efforts of projects with boots on the ground, and supported by PF2050 Limited, have proved that predators can be eliminated in urban and rural areas. Thanks to those efforts, as of 31 March 2025, communities have already contributed more than $164M in non-government support for 18 major projects since their inception. This meets a key target for community contribution and is a testament to the unwavering dedication of hundreds of Kiwis working on urban and rural land to protect Aotearoa New Zealand's biodiversity before it's too late. Support has come in the forms of cash, in-kind donations, and the value of volunteer labour, and it more than matches the PF2050 Limited contribution of $92M to this work. Year after year, Predator Free 2050 projects have proven that, with a combined collective effort from communities, philanthropists, councils, and volunteers, people are willing to put more on the line to bring nature back to our communities and the places we live, work and play. From visible nature gains to economic and public health gains and strengthened communities, the payback is significant. It is a great achievement so far, but to reach the PF2050 goal, more is needed. While PF2050 Limited and the projects it supports remain committed to sustaining momentum, they face the end of funding from Jobs for Nature and the Provincial Growth Fund. The collective of predator free projects and PF2050 Limited will be working to raise new funds to advance this essential work in our cities, towns, farms and forests and to develop even more efficient and scalable predator free approaches. So much has been achieved by the community already that it is unthinkable to let the momentum falter. PF2050 Limited, a Crown-owned charitable company established in 2016, plays a pivotal role in this transformative movement. The Company focuses on supporting large-scale predator elimination projects and breakthrough scientific innovations, supporting professionally delivered, community-led initiatives, in its mission to address a critical biodiversity crisis. The Predator Free 2050 goal, a bold national commitment to eradicate possums, rats, and mustelids by 2050, has achieved remarkable funding success.
