OPOSSUMS AND OPOSSUM TRAPPING

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1928, Page 4

OPOSSUMS AND OPOSSUM TRAPPING

The following article appears in the duly issue of “Birds,” a publication issued by the New Zealand Native Bird Society, Wellington, of which Mr E. V. Sanderson is tho writer. As the subject matter is of interest in regard to acclimatisation work and to trlippers generally, tho opinions expressed are given local publicity. Persons familiar with tho habits of opossums in the ‘Westland bush might take the matter up, and deal with the subject matter of tho article indicating how far tho conditions alleged, apply in their experience locally. We shall ho glad to publish any authenticated articles bearing on the subject under notice.

Apart from . tho, depredations of these animals on birds, about which there can bo no question, ns an examiimtiim of tho stomach contents will frequently show during tho nesting season, there is the damage done to tho forests by the trappers witli axo and slasher, and tlio number of birds killed with the traps. Kiwis, wokas, and all forest living birds, including pigeons, fall frequent victims, and in many cases die a lingering death owing to the loss of one or bothlegs. 'Hie process of' trapping so far as the opossum is concerned is surely cruel enough in itself, and can only hnvc a lowering effect on those engaged in tho pursuit. Trapping is now, however, going rapidly out of date, as no bonafule trapper can hope to compote with tho poisoner, who can lay twice as many effective: baits as the trapper can lay traps in the time available. Poisoning, is of course, quito illegal, hut tho method is certainly more humane, as it means a quick death in plnce of a lingering death to the opossum and hut little if any harm appears to he done to bird life.

The usual method adopted by the poisoner is to mix two pounds of sugar with two pounds of flour at night time, and add to this one tenspoonful of aniseed. In the morning the mixture is well shaken to ensure intimate mixing and tho poisoner sets forth with this and a flask or bottle of cyanide, which hns boon previously ■Crushed to as fine a powder ns possible with a hammer or other means. The opossum poisoner is guided by bis bush sense in choosing likely spots to lay his baits, which are laid by taking a teaspoonfal of the flour and sugar mixture and placing this in a conical heap. Tho apex of this cone is then liflhfly pressed with tho finger tip in order to form a depression for the reception of the cyanide. A small saltsDoonfnl of poison is then placed in the depression, and tho flour and sugar mixture drawn up from the sides of the cone-shaped mass to cover the cyanide and the bait is laid. Tho poison quickly becomes non-effective if wetted by rain or other means. Tho poisoner usually lays a short line of traps for the edification of any chance ranger, hut detection is rare and difficult, and the chance of .being caught clncs not make the illegal getter of skins lose any sleepless nights, as rangers are few and far between. . —E. V. SANDERSON.