The challenges of making our capital city predator free

Phase two of Predator Free Wellington’s groundbreaking project to rid our capital of rats is well underway. They’ve learned a lot from their work on the Miramar Peninsula, but with this new chapter comes new challenges – not just backyards, but a hospital, and even a zoo! Charlie Dreaver meets some of the team out fighting this battle on multiple interesting fronts.

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Learn more:

• The target for Wellington to become New Zealand’s first predator-free city was announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka in March, as part of a Predator Free 2050 strategy update.
• In November last year the government added feral cats to the Predator Free 2050 list of targeted predators, likely in response to RNZ’s In-Depth team’s reporting about the destruction they cause, and a pre-election promise.
• Learn more about other large predator removal projects such as Predator Free Rakiura and Predator Free South Westland, and the plan to make Auckland Island predator free.

Guests:

• Zara Koorey, Predator Free Wellington
• James Wilcocks, Predator Free Wellington
• Chirs Jerram, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo
• Sally Bain, Predator Free Wellington

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details