Month: August 2022

Why We Should Learn To Control Pests

 

 

We should control pests so that our birds and nature can thrive. Pests keep destroying nature and native prey, so we set traps to decrease the amount of pests in our country.

 

What are common pests of New Zealand?

Common New Zealand Pests include Possums, Rats, Hedgehogs, Ferrets, Stoats and Weasels etc. They eat native birds as well as bird eggs and Rabbits dig holes in the ground of farmers. They also destroy our natural resources. When Chris Judd came to our school he talked about an annual Rabbit hunting festival, called the Easter Bunny Hunt.

 

What are Natural Resources?

Natural Resources are food, water, plants, trees and other things. Water and Food keeps us healthy. Trees and Plants are useful medicine and wood for tables and chairs.

 

What kind of traps stop Pests?

Not only traps are used on animals. Chris showed us Possum Skin and old leg holders which were banned for hurting innocent animals. Tracking Tunnels, Wax Tags and Chew Cards. Tims Traps, Doc Traps and Mouse Traps etc. are designed to kill pests.

 

Conclusion

Native Plants and Birds are being killed by pests. There are many more pests than humans, and they are responsible for the reduction or extinction of some native animals, which is why we should learn to control pests.

Our Trip to Cornwall Park

On Friday the 5th of August, a man named Chris Judd came to our school with some cages and a box. He said he was from the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board (MTLB). He was here to educate us on Pest Education Day.

 

First, he talked about different types of pests and what we can do to stop them. He showed us different types of traps that can kill or catch pests, including Tracking Tunnels, Doc Traps and Mouse Traps. He also showed us mushed, chopped up rabbit and possum skin.

 

After that, we had Morning Tea and then we jumped on a bus to Cornwall Park (Maungakiekie). It took about 20 minutes. When we arrived, we split into two groups. One group with Chris and another group with two women named Lisa & Charlie. Chris took us to look for native and non native animals and traps. The other group with Lisa and Charlie, looking at native trees. When we finished, we had lunch and played Kiwi, Ponga, Possum and another game. After that we hopped back on the bus back to school.

 

At school we did two final activities. First, we made a Tracking Tunnel, which some of my friends and I struggled with. The next activity was to guess the animal that made the footprints. At the end of the day, my friend and I helped Chris carry his stuff to his car, then he drove off. I enjoyed the trip and I wish to learn more, so I can become a trapper in the future. 

 

Link to Photos

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1txnqUka6ReFi7Gr973Dc25dDPnDOVVW0