Ark in the Park has grown from modest beginnings with a couple of volunteers protecting a small area of Cascade Kauri Park, to a large area of predator control extending along Scenic Drive southward and westwards. The bulk of the work we do is around predator control to protect our native biodiversity.

To understand if what we do is successful, we have several monitoring programmes in place: recording trap catches, bait uptake, bird counts and unusual bird sightings.

A very exciting part of our work is the reintroduction of locally extinct species back into Ark in the Park by way of translocating those from other areas.

From the beginning, we have followed a rigorous scientific approach, based on the best practices and knowledge available to us. Many students have done their internship, research project or overseas study at Ark in the Park and have contributed to our knowledge. Most of our work is done by our dedicated volunteers.

Predator Control

The Ark has run baiting and trapping programmes since 2002, adapting methods and learning as we go and as our environment changes. As a mainland island, the Ark has no boundary fence. This has allowed us to expand our predator control work without barriers, and follow native wildlife populations as they establish territories in newly protected habitats. Predator control within the Ark must be continuous and ongoing. Introduced predators are kept to low levels with a grid of bait stations, a network of traps, and ongoing vigilance! Here in Aotearoa/New Zealand we are working to restore the balance from the damage that introduced predators cause to our native plants and animals.