Predator Free Chathams
Predator Free Chathams is a community-driven conservation project to help restore our islands’ natural gifts, for now and for the future.
One of the biggest challenges our native species face is introduced predators. Our species evolved in a world without mammalian predators, which is what makes them unique but also poorly equipped to face introduced predators. This has flow-on effects to the wider ecosystems that, ultimately, all of us are part of and depend on.
Our focus is to eradicate three key predators from our islands: possums, rats, and feral cats. This is an ambitious goal that will require a lot of resources upfront, but the long-term benefits for our islands and our people make it worth it.
An eradication of key predators in the Chatham Islands could protect more endangered species than anywhere in Aotearoa. The islands are home to nearly 10% of the country's threatened and at-risk species.
Predator Free Chathams is a key part of the Trust's strategy to help restore nature's gifts to the Chatham Islands. It's also part of the Chatham Islands' Investment Strategy 24-28.
A team effort
This is a community-led project, so the Trust works closely with members of our community to shape and deliver the work. We're also teamed up with Predator Free 2050 Limited and the Department of Conservation, who provide us with expertise, advice, materials, and other resources.
Other restoration projects play a complementary and essential part in restoring our islands. Alongside managing predators, work like plantings, biosecurity, other restoration measures, and sustainable approaches are essential. Thankfully, our community are already doing some of this and our Trust supports a wide range of projects.
The PF Chathams Plan
Given the huge scale of Predator Free Chathams, we’re taking a staged approach towards island-wide eradication. We’re running a series of smaller projects that will together add up to eradication.
We're using the Pacific Invasives Initiatives best practice resource kit to help develop our eradication project. This includes developing the stages of our project using their Project Process.
Phase One of Removing Predators
Our first phase focuses on the northeast of the island (pictured yellow in the map). This encompasses a mix of habitats - forest remnants, wetlands, fresh water lakes, sandy beaches, and rocky shores - as well as the Kaingaroa community, and some areas of cultural significance.
Predator Free Chathams sector map
As part of the planning process, we commissioned a Feasibility Study for the northeast sector in 2022. We will continue to refine aspects of this study drawing on expert advice as our project progresses.
We are creating a network of 97 AT220 traps in the area, making use of natural choke points and the buffer created by Te Whanga lagoon to help prevent reinvasion. The community is involved in keeping this network running.
Read the 2022 northeast Feasibility Study