Join us for a fascinating talk by Sara Smerdon revealing the recently uncovered wider impact of some invasive predators on frogs, reptiles and more.
Title: Revealing the Unseen: Using eDNA to Uncover Predation on Endangered Species
Abstract:
As a staunch advocate for wildlife monitoring, Sara has recently uncovered groundbreaking—and deeply concerning—insights into the diet of key invasive predators. By applying eDNA analysis to the stomach contents of pigs, stoats, and ferrets, her research has confirmed predation on a whole suite of threatened species, including Archey’s and Hochstetter’s frogs, native skinks, the Northern Striped gecko, and several endemic bird species, including petrels. The discovery of multiple frog arms and legs in a single pig and ferret’s stomach is particularly alarming, raising urgent questions about the scale of predation that has, until now, gone largely undetected. These findings underscore the critical need for innovative mitigation strategies to protect Aotearoa’s most vulnerable wildlife.
SARA SMERDON | Conservation Advocate
Sara is a field operations expert based on the Coromandel, leading the intensive predator control programme at Mahakirau Forest Sanctuary. As the regional advisor for Save the Kiwi’s national Predator Response Team, she also supports Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust (PFHCCT) and numerous Coromandel conservation groups in maximising the effectiveness of their predator control efforts. An accredited Wildlife Handler, she works hands-on with kiwi, geckos, and frogs. Her sharp observational skills and collaborations with leading academic research institutions have contributed to advancing scientific knowledge of several critically endangered species, including Archey’s frog, the Northern Striped gecko, and the Forest Ringlet butterfly. A dedicated conservation advocate, Sara recently featured in a PFNZ Trust article, “What Inspires the Inspiring? We Asked Five Women Making Big Strides in Conservation.”
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