Evidence of Possum Wrecking Deployment Site

While we are currently in a national lockdown we have limited sound lure testing in progress.  We are collating the data and information as we continue to modify and test the viability of various units.   This morning when checking a deployed camera there was a series of images that require explanation as they are quite striking.

In the first image in the series we can see a brush tailed possum approaching deployment site one.   There is an object that is visible just outside the rat box, when looking closely at the trap box you can see that the trap itself has not been sprung which would suggest that it is not a rodent, which is what originally was suspected, outside of the trap but another object which has ended up by the trap.

In the second sequence photo the possum can clearly be seen with this object in its mouth while it is in the area of the trap.    Again while we originally thought that the object could potentially have been a trapped rat and that the possum was feeding on this, a close examination of the photo shows that the t-rex rat trap has not been sprung which shows as evidence that it must be another object that the possum is carrying.

The third photo in the series which has occurred five minutes after the first shows the deployment site after

the possum has finished with it.   

This is typical of the interaction that we have seen of the brush tailed possum with the sound lure and in the sound lure area.   We see the objects like the rat box moved around which typically have been jumped on by the possum or knocked over in an attempt to investigate them further.   The lures themselves when not protected can be moved and wrecked, knocked over and pulled out (although we have had minimal unit damage and it is usually a case of physically resetting the trap area and the trap set up and putting everything back in place).

We will refine the trail cameras settings to increase the frequency of the photographs.

Note: We are currently in a national lockdown under level four restrictions - this monitoring is occurring at a private location which is next to a residence so no lockdown rules have been violated in carrying out this testing.

Reviewing the Initial Unit after Twenty Months Deployment

 

Pictured Left is one of the initial units which was deployed outside in November 2019.   This unit while it has undergone several basic revision is essentially the same and is still functioning, despite having being deployed outside constantly for an entire winter.

The solar panel was a $12.00 (5v/1.2w) purchase via Ali Express in October 2019.   It has produced enough power to run the unit in regular circumstances although it can struggle without responsible exposure after two days - we replaced this unit and upgraded it to a $25.00 solar panel in 2020.   There is some variation in the power from the larger solar panels, as a general rule we would expect around 

The connections which were single wires have subsequently been replaced with speaker wire available from a local hobby stockist.  We have seen animals chew these wires and claw at them but not particularly damage them.    Neither elements of the unit have needed to be replaced for its existence.    The speaker was replaced, we have currently upgraded as speakers working with the units as we have refined the design.    These have suffered in the elements - the original 4w speakers that were part of the project were purchased online from Aliexpress for $2.00 each and were replaced by more durable speakers (that cost double the price).   We have customised the baffle by 3D Printing,

The IP rated box which was purchased for a minimal amount ($20.00) has been excellent and there is minimal evidence of moisture entering the unit.   With other units in the sequence we used desiccant to absorb moisture and we are now looking significantly at using MDF to absorb moisture and provide a platform on which to mount the breadboard and hold the battery in place.

We are using with this unit the same basic program that has been present for two years, although we have already stated we could clearly use a significant increase in the number of sounds and the frequency etc.

The area where the unit is being deployed has undergone considerable rainfall including the river within a few metres of the camera/trap set up bursting its banks for the first time in seven years.

It appears that activity in the area is returning to normal.   We are using the area to deploy two units at present to test that the lures are operating and working.

As always we will continue to monitor what is occurring at the site and identify interactions of note and interest.   We are continuing to run trials for stoats at both DOC sites and locally and once the COVID-19 levels of restrictions we will complete our sound level investigation into possums.

Final Phase of Curious Minds Data Gathering

We are undertaking the final aspect of our Curious Minds data gathering process.  As part of this process we are running sound lures on multiple sites in South Taranaki on local farms.  At each of the farm locations we have sound lures working in conjunction with a Timms trap as well as a non-sound lure location with identical baiting.   We are intending to deploy for several months and will be monitoring eight sites in total.  At least some of these locations will be covered by trail cameras and some sites will rely on the count of possums that are recorded.   This trial will be featured on a trap.nz project and this will be made available for data gathering purposes.  We also have a number of images that have been gathered from recent deployments.

We have again shown clear evidence of the interactions that are occurring between possums and possums that are deceased and have been trapped.   There is considerable post trapping activity that is taking place with behaviour and mating.   This is important because it is underlining the important potential link between the sound lure and using other possum noises to attract additional possums.   We are thinking that the sound of a distressed possum would prove to be enticing based around the anecdotal evidence that we have been gathering.   Currently we have been concentrating on the units creation and proof of concept testing - we are considering that the sound has been able to draw possums in - and this would appear to be even more of a consideration when looking at stoats and other animals.

We are looking to complete the project in the next few months, when we have gathered the final data from the project the school aspect of the project and our Curious Minds Project will be completed.

We will continue to investigate the use of the sound lures to attract target pests and continue to investigate possibilities in the future although the project has final report deadlines to be produced.  If you would like to contact us prior to the conclusion of the project please do so via email as soon as possible.