Critters Of The Week - Partnering With Predator Free Tamahere
At Joyya, we are all about supporting communities that create real change, which is why we were thrilled to partner with Predator Free Tamahere through our Critter of the Week campaign. As a relatively new group, having started mid-2022, Predator Free Tamahere has already made a significant impact in pest control. Their dedication to preserving local wildlife—especially the long-tailed bat populations—has been truly inspiring.
Thanks to the Critter of the Week funding, Predator Free Tamahere was able to purchase an AT220 autotrap. This cutting-edge trap is automatically resetting and self-luring, meaning it only requires maintenance checks every three months—perfect for the steep, challenging terrain along the Waikato River where the long-tailed bats are known to live and feed.
The importance of this work cannot be overstated. As the team explains, "At night, this quiet semi-rural area becomes a dark green corridor—ideal for bats but also notorious for pests." By strategically placing the AT220 traps in hard-to-reach gullies and river edges, Predator Free Tamahere is complementing the efforts of other conservation groups in the area, like Hamilton Riverlea and Project Echo, helping to protect the precious habitats of these incredible native bats.
And while the team may be tackling a tough mission, they haven’t lost their sense of fun! Celebrating milestones like their 6000th pest caught is a big part of maintaining community spirit. Volunteer Robyn’s creative cakes—like her pest graveyard cake—bring positivity and a little humor to their gatherings, making the hard work feel all the more rewarding.
Through partnerships like this, Critter of the Week is helping conservation groups across Aotearoa make a difference. Every piece of merchandise you buy from our Joyya collection not only supports these vital conservation efforts but also sparks good in the world, one critter at a time.
To follow the incredible work of Predator Free Tamahere, you can join their inclusive Facebook group here.
