Backyard trappers are being reminded to keep leg-hold traps off the ground to protect Coromandel kiwi from injury or death.

Department of Conservation Senior Biodiversity Ranger Ben Gordon said each year kiwi are caught in leg-hold traps set for possums, causing injury and often death for the unfortunate birds.

“A kiwi can easily be caught by the leg or beak in a leg-hold trap, often causing injuries the bird can’t recover from.

“We’re asking the trapping community to help kiwi by setting these traps at a kiwi-safe height of more than 700mm off the ground.”

Kiwi are ground-based birds not given to climbing. A simple 1m long wooden board secured from a tree at an angle of 45 degrees to the ground allows access for target species while effectively deterring kiwi.

A trap set at a kiwi-safe height. Credit: Ben Gordon/DOC

Brown kiwi are doing well, and the population in Coromandel has grown significantly thanks to long-term predator control programmes run by DOC and the wider community.

“The great success of Coromandel kiwi means they’re moving into more areas, and are at greater risk of encountering traps,” said Gordon.

As with all trapping regimes, target animals should be treated humanely and not left to suffer – leg-hold traps must be checked daily and animals dispatched quickly.

For more information on how to set kiwi-safe traps contact your local DOC office.