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SciTech Daily Review

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The Possum War

The possum is a national disaster. Special funding has been allocated to meet the threat it poses, and a good start has been made by massive poisoning in Waipoua Forest and on Rangitoto Island. But these are only the first shots in what will be a long and expensive war.

It is essential that the population as a whole is involved. Possums also infest built-up areas, so a determined effort is needed by inhabitants to drive back the pest on several fronts. People have to be motivated to take action, and they need the weapons to do the job.

Recently, Rodney County Council took positive steps by providing cage traps on loan to residents. The council also arranged for an operator to take over the unpleasant task of killing the trapped animals, because most people flinch from doing this.

What is needed is a trap which is easy to set and unset, and which kills the animal quickly and humanely.

Local inventors have produced three designs, all of which strike and crush the neck. One, the Banya, is effective, positive and cheap, but it is not easy to set and can damage careless fingers. It seemed to disappear from the market a few years ago.

Another, the Kaki, an elegant and simple invention, was first produced 11 years ago, but has also disappeared. It consists of two short lengths of PVC pipe, one inside the other, held in place under tension. A hole through the side provides access to the triggered bait. When the animal grasps the bait, the trigger releases the inner pipe which springs upwards, killing the possum quickly.

A third trap, the Timms, appeared about 1983. This yellow plastic box has a side opening into which the possum puts its head to reach a bait. This triggers an iron bar set under spring tension, striking the animal across the throat and killing it. It is efficient and available, making it the only satisfactory option for the householder at present. It has the disadvantage of presenting a risk to careless fingers, and is not always easy to set and unset.

So why haven't our inventors produced improved or alternative versions to meet the demand?

After 10 years of experience in possum traps, I believe that the Kaki is close to the ideal trap, yet the patent holders appear unwilling to resume manufacture or to license others to do so. I bought one of the last Kakis sold in 1981, and since then it has caught over 150 possums. The PVC piping and the mechanism remain in good condition. Though lethal to the animal, fingers are not harmed by its release. It's also an easy trap to set and unset.

The advantages of this trap over its counterparts have led to several attempts to have its manufacture resumed. Neither requests, nor interest from the Department of Trade and Industry have been enough to encourage the patent holders back into business.

There must be some solution to this impasse, particularly if it can help a national problem. Any ideas?

Colin Little has spent the last 10 years doing his bit to control the possum population of Kerikeri.