Bob’s Cove Sanctuary

Beech forest, birdsong and a growing line of defence — protecting a jewel just minutes from Queenstown.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Whakatipu, Bob’s Cove is home to one of the most intact native beech forests remaining near Queenstown. This peaceful spot draws thousands of visitors every year — but beneath the surface, a battle is quietly unfolding to protect the wildlife that calls it home.

Together with the Bob’s Cove Predator Control Group, Whakatipu Wildlife Trust, and with generous support from the Hugo Charitable Trust, we’re working to defend this precious habitat from the constant pressure of introduced predators.

A home for native taonga

The forest and surrounding shrubland provide critical habitat for native species like:

• Kākāriki (yellow-crowned parakeet)

• Pīpipi (brown creeper)

• Tītitipounamu (rifleman) — Aotearoa’s smallest bird

But these manu (birds), along with lizards and invertebrates, are under relentless threat from predators like possums, rats, and stoats.

Supercharging protection

Thanks to generous funding from the Hugo Charitable Trust, we’ve expanded and upgraded our trap network across Bob’s Cove and neighbouring areas.

• 25 AT220 traps are now deployed throughout Bob’s Cove

• 19 AT220s have also been installed at nearby Sam Summers Hut and Jessie Peak

• Together, these traps have already removed nearly 1,500 predators

In addition, we’ve introduced 18 AI-enabled AT520 traps — humane, self-resetting devices equipped with artificial intelligence that only activate when a target species is positively identified. In just five months, these high-tech traps have removed over 200 rats and possums — all with minimal risk to native species.

This is conservation with cutting-edge tools, in one of our region’s most accessible and visited natural areas.

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A living classroom

Bob’s Cove has become a key site for education and advocacy. Since launching the project, we’ve:

• Hosted over 150 stakeholders and visitors on guided field visits

• Reached thousands more through casual public visits to the area

It’s a place where people can see conservation in action — and understand what it takes to protect our native biodiversity.

Always on alert

In early 2025, an unexpected spike in possum activity on the Bob’s Cove peninsula caught our attention — the first time chew rates had exceeded baseline levels. Our team acted fast, removing 12 possums, including six from the tip of the peninsula alone.

It was a timely reminder that in this work, constant vigilance is essential. Even in places with active control, predator pressure can rebound quickly.

Making a difference

With continued monitoring, smart technology, and community support, this work is already showing results. Native birds are holding on — and we’re building a safer, stronger future for them with every trap set and every predator removed.

A heartfelt thanks to the Hugo Charitable Trust, whose generous and ongoing support makes all of this possible.