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  • In this activity, students make a tracking tunnel to monitor the presence of pest species1 in a neighbouring gully2 or their school grounds.

    By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

    • understand the uses of tracking tunnels in conservation3
    • create a functional tracking tunnel
    • identify any tracks present in their tracking tunnel
    • decide on a plan of action if any tracks are present.
    Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

    Tracking tunnel

    Tracking tunnels are one method of monitoring species living in an area.

    They are useful to note if any unwanted species are present in areas where introduced mammals have been eradicated.

    Download the Word file (see link below) for:

    • introduction/background notes
    • what you need
    • what to do
    • discussion questions
    • extension ideas
    • student instruction.

    Related content

    Find out how a weasel going through a tracking tunnel at ZEALANDIA was the first sign of that this pest had got past their predator-proof fence.

    Useful links

    For more information about identifying tracks of different pest species visit the Bionet website.

    Use the Pest Detective online guide to help identify the signs left by pest animals.

    In this Eco Memory game – learn how animals are tracked and which tracks belong to each animal, then play the online memory game to match each animal with their correct footprints.

    1. species: (Abbreviation sp. or spp.) A division used in the Linnean system of classification or taxonomy. A group of living organisms that can interbreed to produce viable offspring.
    2. gully system: A small valley originally formed by running water. Many of these small valleys connect to form a gully system, which often drains into a stream, river or other water source. Urban gully systems may serve as wildlife corridors.
    3. conservation: The protection, preservation and careful management of a species, habitat, artifact or taonga.
    Published 8 July 2010, Updated 5 May 2019 Referencing Hub articles
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        species

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      2. (Abbreviation sp. or spp.) A division used in the Linnean system of classification or taxonomy. A group of living organisms that can interbreed to produce viable offspring.

        gully system

      3. + Create new collection
      4. A small valley originally formed by running water. Many of these small valleys connect to form a gully system, which often drains into a stream, river or other water source. Urban gully systems may serve as wildlife corridors.

        conservation

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      6. The protection, preservation and careful management of a species, habitat, artifact or taonga.