Ferrets in Tamahere

photo - J Morgan: A trapped ferret beside a gumboot for scale — a reminder of the size and strength of this predator.

Over recent months, we’ve had increasing reports of ferret sightings in Tamahere, particularly around the Pencarrow area. While they’re less commonly talked about than rats or possums, ferrets are one of the most damaging predators in semi-rural landscapes like ours.

Ferrets are powerful hunters that can kill adult birds, chicks and eggs — and a single animal can cause devastating losses. A recent example from near Raglan saw one ferret wipe out nearly an entire grey-faced petrel colony in a single night. It’s a stark reminder of just how high the stakes are.

Locally, ferrets tend to move along gullies, fence lines, waterways and open pasture edges, which makes Tamahere ideal territory. They’re mostly nocturnal, wide-ranging, and often go unnoticed until damage is done — whether that’s native birds, poultry, or small stock on lifestyle blocks.

The challenge with ferrets is that they’re harder to catch than rats or possums and require well-placed, well-maintained traps. The good news is that AT220s and DOC250 traps are effective when set in the right locations — and we’ve already had success locally, including a recent ferret capture in an AT220.

Credit J Morgan: A ferret investigating an AT220 trap just before triggering the trap

If you see a ferret or suspect one is around, please let us know. Mapping sightings helps us target trapping where it’s most needed!