Robotic traps will be employed in the battle against possums,

I've been against blanket aerial dropping of poison like 1080 over DoC land and native bush reserves to control possums and stokes. As it does to much damage to other species and the natural ecosystem. Public pressure on DoC to look for alternative's has forced DoC to look beyond 1080 and other poisons. "Robot traps' a New Zealand invention ticks all the boxes. A non toxic quick and effective alternative specifically made for and targeting possums and stokes.

'Robot traps' new weapon in battle against possums

Robotic traps will be employed in the battle against possums, with a new contraption that catches a dozen pests before needing to be reset due to be used in a massive eradication programme.
Wellington company Good Nature has designed the self-resetting traps.
They will be used in a two-stage trial run by the Conservation Department.
Conservation minister Kate Wilkinson said yesterday the Government would give DOC $4 million to buy 10,000 traps.
DOC spends $20 million annually on pest control, and Green party conservation spokesman Kevin Hague said the extra funding had the potential to have a significant impact on an "absolutely massive problem".
The traps would be deployed next September at two sites which would be extensively monitored before a second phase of the trial at two additional sites.
"The birds and animals we want to protect are much loved by New Zealanders, so it's essential we get it right."
Ms Wilkinson said the new traps could kill up to 12 pests, resetting themselves each time before needing to be set again by hand.
One of Good Nature's three co-directors, Stu Barr, said the possums were humanely killed by a bolt in the trap set off by compressed gas.
"It goes into the back of the head and penetrates the skull. There's a massive amount of trauma to the brain."
Fellow co-director Robbie Greig said the traps used the compressed carbon dioxide to reset once a possum had been caught.
Although the traps cost more than traditional models – $150 compared with $47 – Mr Greig said they were still relatively cheap to manufacture and would be able to "withstand all the elements".
The traps were baited with a clove-based mixture as possums liked anything smelly and sweet.
A significant cost of pest control was the labour required to regularly visit and reset trap lines, with traditional traps needing to be cleared each month.
The new traps would cut the cost of maintaining a trap from $96 a year to $16, as they would be reset less often.
This would mean the cost of running 10,000 new traps could save $800,000 in labour costs each year, Ms Wilkinson said.