Zero Invasive Predators

What Zero Invasive Predators does

Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) is a New Zealand-based conservation non-profit incorporated as Zero Invasive Predators Limited and headquartered in Wellington, with a dedicated predator behaviour research facility at Lincoln University. Founded in February 2015, ZIP develops technologies and operational methodologies to enable complete removal of invasive mammalian predators — primarily possums, rats, and stoats — from large mainland landscapes, and to prevent their re-establishment. The organization operates an integrated "Remove and Protect" model that combines operational predator removal (including aerial 1080 applications), physical exclusion infrastructure, and ongoing detection-and-response systems.

ZIP's product portfolio centres on a suite of proprietary hardware and software. The MotoLure automated lure dispenser dispenses fresh egg mayonnaise lure daily for up to one year on a five-year battery, eliminating the manual servicing bottleneck of traditional trapping networks. The PosStop is a live-capture possum trap based on the PCR No. 1 leghold trap, deployable with a SafeLock mechanism that disables the trap during daylight hours to protect non-target kea populations. The OutPost module provides remote reporting of captures, and an in-development AI-enabled thermal detection device targets on-board species classification (possums, rats, stoats) with greater than six months' battery life. ZIP has also developed lower-cost fencing alternatives — notably an HDPE pipe-capped 1,100 mm fence achieving 94.7% effectiveness against ship rats and 95.2% against stoats — and a Rhodamine B bio-marking technique for tracking animal movement.

ZIP's business model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Revenue is sourced from philanthropic foundations and government agencies, with founding partners NEXT Foundation and the Department of Conservation providing both operational funding and regulatory approvals, and Predator Free 2050 Limited, Jasmine Social Investments, Morgan Foundation, and the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge supporting specific product development and field projects. ZIP serves conservation NGOs (Predator Free Wellington, Predator Free Dunedin, Predator Free South Westland, Predator Free Rakiura, Te Manahuna Aoraki), government agencies (DOC, Greater Wellington Regional Council), and research institutions (Lincoln University, University of Auckland, Callaghan Innovation) — distributing tools and technical expertise through collaborative partnerships rather than commercial sales channels.

Name

Zero Invasive Predators

Legal name

Zero Invasive Predators Limited

Website

https://zip.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) is a New Zealand conservation non-profit that develops proprietary hardware and software — including the MotoLure automated lure dispenser, PosStop trap, and AI-enabled thermal detection device — to remove invasive possums, rats, and stoats from mainland landscapes, serving government agencies, conservation NGOs, and research institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Technology

NAICS

Fishing, Hunting and Trapping (114), Exterminating and Pest Control Services (56171), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Control & Exclusion (IMAIAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE), Opossum Control & Exclusion (HSAMACAF), Eco-Friendly Rodent Control (Non-Toxic Baits, Traps & Exclusion) (HSAMALAD)

Keywords

• Invasive predator removal
• Conservation technology
• Wildlife management tools
• Biodiversity restoration
• Pest control devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding and Philanthropic Support: ZIP operates as a nonprofit conservation organization funded by government agencies, foundations, and social investment organizations. Primary funders include Department of Conservation, NEXT Foundation, Predator Free 2050 Limited, Jasmine Social Investments, and Morgan Foundation. Revenue supports research, tool development, and operational field programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) is a nonprofit conservation organization that develops and supplies proprietary hardware tools—including the MotoLure automated lure dispenser, the PosStop live-capture possum trap with SafeLock daytime lockout, and the OutPost remote reporting system—for the detection, capture, and removal of invasive predators (possums, rats, stoats, feral cats, hedgehogs) from New Zealand landscapes. The organization also provides technical support, field research, and low-height fencing solutions to conservation projects under its integrated "Remove and Protect" model.

Product overview

Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) is a conservation organization that develops technology products for predator detection and control. Their product portfolio centers on the Remove and Protect conservation model, which involves completely removing predators from areas and then preventing reinvasion. The core products include the MotoLure automated lure dispenser (which works with trail cameras and traps), the PosStop live-capture possum trap with optional OutPost remote reporting and SafeLock daytime lockout mechanisms, and an AI-powered thermal camera detection device currently in development. These products work together as an integrated system: MotoLures attract predators to areas where they are detected by trail cameras or captured by PosStop traps, with automated reporting enabling rapid response.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ZIP MotoLure An automated lure dispenser that dispenses fresh food lure (egg mayonnaise) daily for up to one year without manual servicing. Comprises a stainless-steel chassis, motor driver with approximately five-year battery life, and a 60ml syringe. Used by conservation projects as a lure for traps, pre-feeding tool, bio-marking tool, and detection device lure.
• ZIP PosStop A live-capture possum trap based on the PCR No. 1 leghold trap, presented on a raised platform to minimize risks to ground-dwelling birds. Includes a bungee cord to reduce possum escapes and a white powder-coated aluminium visual lure. The SafeLock variant enables daytime lockout to prevent kea interaction while permitting nighttime operation.
• ZIP OutPost An automated reporting system that pairs with ZIP PosStop traps to provide remote monitoring and automatic notifications when animals are captured, enabling conservation managers to respond rapidly to predator detections.
• ZIP AI Detection Device A prototype AI-enabled detection device under development comprising a highly sensitive thermal camera, on-board artificial intelligence video analysis software, and remote reporting capability with a target battery life exceeding six months. Designed to reliably identify possums, rats, and stoats with remote reporting to conservation managers.
• Low-Height Predator Fencing Solutions Tested fence designs developed as lower-cost alternatives to traditional steel predator fencing, including a 1,100mm high fence with HDPE pipe capping (94.7% effective against ship rats, 95.2% against stoats), electric hotwire retrofitted fences, and aluminium sheet metal collar fences (82% effective against ship rats).

Quantifiable outcome

• HDPE pipe capped fence: 94.7% containment of ship rats, 95.2% containment of stoats
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• inFact (Christchurch)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristchurch-based mechanical and engineering company that collaborated with ZIP to develop the MotoLure automated lure dispenser capable of dispensing fresh food lure daily for up to one year.
• Predator Free WellingtonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization on Miramar Peninsula. ZIP provides technical support, fence testing services, and tools for their predator removal project. Collaborated on HDPE pipe capped fence testing.
• Otago Peninsula Biodiversity TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP collaborated on testing modified electric farm fences as possum barriers and provided technical support for the 9,500 hectare possum eradication project.
• Predator Free DunedinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP provides technical support and advice for possum eradication operations in the Dunedin area.
• Game Animal CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on research program to assess Himalayan tahr survivorship during Perth River predator removal operation, ensuring pest control operations are based on good science.
• Greater Wellington Regional CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP tested BT200 kill trap animal welfare performance for stoats for use in Miramar Peninsula trapping network as part of Predator Free Wellington project.
• University of AucklandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on visual model research to investigate how cereal baits appear to kea, testing whether kea can detect differences between bait types including those containing anthraquinone.
• Lincoln UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to ZIP's predator behaviour facility where trap testing and animal behavior research is conducted. Professor Geoff Kerr provided statistical analysis for tahr survivorship study.
• Callaghan InnovationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTook UV spectral measurements of different cereal bait types using fiber optics spectrometer to inform kea visual perception research.
• Willowbank Wildlife ReservesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerZIP conducted captive kea trials at Willowbank to test anthraquinone aversion training and SafeLock trap kea interference testing in controlled enclosure environment.
• Tuia-Te-TaiaosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Zealand conservation initiative featured as a partner/collaborator in ZIP's network.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Island Conservation: Global nonprofit specializing in technology-enabled invasive species removal on islands. Closest international analogue to ZIP's Remove and Protect approach with overlapping customer base in island restoration.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand: Largest NZ conservation NGO advocating and operating on predator control and native species protection. Shares mission and end-customers with ZIP but operates at broader advocacy scale.
• Department of Conservation (DOC): NZ government conservation agency and ZIP's core operational partner. Runs landscape-scale predator control operations on public conservation land with overlapping techniques (traps, 1080).
• Predator Free 2050 Limited: NZ government-backed program and ZIP's primary strategic funder. Coordinates the national Predator Free 2050 mission that ZIP's tools directly serve; highly comparable mission and stakeholder base.

Direct peers

• Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research: NZ Crown research institute conducting predator behaviour, traps, and biodiversity research used across the conservation sector. Operates the same research-to-field pipeline as ZIP.
• Predator Free South Westland: Community-led 107,000 ha predator eradication project collaborating directly with ZIP on tool deployment. Same customer base, same predator targets, same operational geography.
• Predator Free Wellington: Community predator removal project on Miramar Peninsula and surrounding areas receiving ZIP technical support and tools. Operationally identical to ZIP-supported projects.
• Te Manahuna Aoraki Project: Multi-stakeholder conservation initiative across Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, targeting eight introduced pests. ZIP-supplied tools and methods applied across this 200,000+ ha project.
• Predator Free Rakiura: Stewart Island/Rakiura predator removal project removing possums, rats, feral cats, and hedgehogs. Operates with ZIP input across large-scale island predator eradication.
• Predator Free Dunedin: Community-led predator eradication program in Dunedin/Ōtākou where ZIP advises on possum operations. Same approach, same methodology, same conserved species goals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zero-invasive-predators

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zero Invasive Predators