PREDATOR FREE BOP

Predator Free BOP was a community led, backyard trapping initiative that aimed to bring native birds back to suburbs and help make New Zealand predator free by 2050.

The biggest threat to native birds are rats who have taken over native bush and urban areas. With one rat likely to kill up to 50 birds in its lifetime assistance is required to get rid of rats and give native species a fighting chance.

Predator Free BOP was set up in 2017 with inspiration from Wellington’s Environmentalist of the Year, Kelvin Hastie. NZ Landcare Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Envirohub, Bay Conservation Alliance and Department of Conservation were instrumental in seeking funding to build and coordinate the distribution of free rat traps to backyard trapping community groups in the Tauranga and Western BOP. An education resource is available to support groups or schools in their trapping efforts.