Pests and Predators

Kia ora katoa

Rob Groat, our museum educator is very busy today as it is Conservation Week and he has a full schedule of bookings for his Pests and Predators programme. The class, which has a range of options to suit the different needs of younger and older students, looks at the range of pests and predators that live in Taranaki and the effects that have upon the environment. As we have only one example of the taxidermists art in the collection, this fine Harrier Hawk:

Rob has managed to borrow some very cool stuffed critters to enable the children to study these creatures close-up. No touching of course, but it is important that they can see the details of tooth and claw that make the opossum, the ferret and the stoat, amongst others, such successful predators.

He will be asking the students to look at such questions as: is a predator always a pest? What makes a successful predator? Are all introduced species pests? How do we define a pest? The students will then be challenged to design the ultimate predator.

Rob will be offering the Pests and Predators programme until the end of 2010. All our education programmes are free and any school or group of home-schoolers within South Taranaki is welcome to take advantage of this educational opportunity. Contact the museum for more details or to make a booking.

Ph: 06 273 8354  or email: rob.groat@stdc.govt.nz

ka kite ano

Kristelle