Penny is currently in the role of Project Coordinator for Predator Free Dunedin. Predator Free Dunedin is made up of 3 groups - North, Peninsula & City. With various goals including eradicating possums from the Peninsula, zero density possums, and for the City to act as a buffer for the other 2 groups - preventing possums getting to the other 2 areas, they have big projects on the go. They started the buffer in the outer areas and worked their way in. 
A lot of their work is done by volunteers - trappers, one off volunteers and researchers. They currently have 15,000 devices on the ground in their areas. 
Their aim with their traps is to kill pests humanely - meaning quickly, and not prolonging suffering. 
It was noted by a member that they had noticed the decline in possums over the years in the area that they have lived for some time and Penny was happy to hear about this progress that had been made. 
Penny talked about how members of the community can partake in pest eradication. “Spotlight on Possums” is running from 15th - 23rd June - where the public can go out at night and report back on whether they are seeing possums or not - this will help Predator Free Dunedin detect where the last of the possums are. There are signs throughout the Town Belt that you can scan and contribute to bird counting. 
They also support responsible cat ownership with encouragement for cat owners to keep their cats inside at night to prevent them from hunting and other various methods. 
Visit www.citysanctuary.nz for more. 
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