February 2025

Imagine hearing the playful cries of kākā in your garden or being awakened by a rich chorus of birdsong. This is part of the vision to see our city become a sanctuary where native wildlife and people flourish together. Dunedin already has some of the best urban wildlife in the country, but our precious native […]

Maurice noticed some unwanted critters taking up residence on his property – a passel (pack) of possums. He invested in a Timms trap and caught  5 or 6  possums a year. He thought that would do the trick and noticed an increase bellbirds, tūī, waxeyes and rosellas . He even noticed more falcon in the area and knows that the […]

Their kill count comes in at 2 possums and 1 hedgehog so far, using a Trapinator and T-Rex trap. What motivated you get involved in backyard trapping? Toby: We had a possum in our backyard, then happened to get a pack in our letterbox from City Sanctuary which motivated us to get in contact. Why […]

What species would you like to see flourishing in your area? The song birds are the most obvious, but my interest is in preserving and enhancing an ecology. The mosses and fungi are beautiful and fascinating. The insects and worms are typically unseen, but intellectually it is nice to know that they are thriving. Mice […]

28 Feb Written By City Sanctuary Roger lives up in Māori Hill and has been trapping possums in his backyard for the past two years. “We could hear them at night racketing around in the garden and they were having a go at some plants.” “Once when my grandkids were over from Australia they left […]

City Sanctuary’s new monthly operational newsletter The City Sanctuary Dispatch aims to keep you up-to-date about project developments, provide seasonal trapping advice, and share stories from local trappers. Click here to read the latest news, tips and stories from City Sanctuary.

Over the Easter break I was lucky enough to head down to Anchor Island/Pukenui with my husband for a pretty exciting volunteer opportunity. Nestled in Fiordland’s Dusky Sound, Anchor Island is one of three offshore islands that are home to the critically endangered kākāpo. The island is predator free and the first kākāpo were transferred […]

Click here to read May’s edition of The City Sanctuary Dispatch, our monthly newsletter with trapping tips and stories. In this month’s newsletter: Spending time with kākāpō 102 possum traps in one car Feeding birds and native planting Responsible cat ownership Plus lots more!

Click here to read July’s edition of The City Sanctuary Dispatch, our monthly newsletter with trapping tips and stories. In this month’s newsletter: We’re coming to Leith Valley Possums in the spotlight New trapping groups in Kaikorai and Brighton Trapinator vs the exterminator Plus lots more!

Click here to read August’s edition of The City Sanctuary Dispatch, our monthly newsletter with trapping tips and stories. In this month’s newsletter: Protecting the special Leith Valley Neighbours at war (against possums) New homes for Aotearoa’s tiniest bird  Possum facts Plus lots more!

Where we live there is a lot of vegetation with a large number of native trees and as result we get plenty of kereru, tūī, korimako/bellbirds, pīwakawaka and tauhou/silvereyes. We also get plenty of possums – they’d be on our deck, in the trees making the dog go nuts. On walks around Jubilee Park at […]

9 Sept Written By City Sanctuary What are Dunedin’s birds doing at this time of the year? Mary Thompson from Birds NZ shares some tips for bird watching (and listening) during spring. Written by Mary Thompson, Birds New Zealand Otago Male chaffinch singing. Credit: Mary Thompson. Spring is the season for bird-listening as well as […]