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Possum Control

Introduced to New Zealand in 1837, the Australian possum is a major threat to native flora and fauna. Discover how the Department of Conservation and local communities are helping to eradicate this pest and the surrounding controversy over 1080 poison. SCIS no. 1838436

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Possum

seen up a mature rimu tree

Research Papers

Botanical reasons for eradicating possums from Kapiti Island

Results are given from a 10-year study of the effects of possums on the vegetation of Kapiti Island made between 1975 and 1985. Since possum control was resumed on the island in 1980, and more part...

Kapiti Island opossum hunters, Geoff Alexander and Bob Cairns

Kapiti Island opossum hunters, Geoff Alexander and Bob Cairns

Kapiti Island opossum hunters, Geoff Alexander (on right) and Bob Cairns (who is carrying a load of "sets" on his back), photographed circa 2 November 1985 by an unidentified Evening Post staff pho...

Drones to hunt possums

Drones to hunt possums

Cartoon shows a man reading a newspaper which is headlined 'Drones to hunt possums'. He has a question mark over his head and imagines a drone flying, under which is a missile. Quantity: 1 digital...

Possum control

Caption: Possums in Keith George Memorial Park and Silverstream Scenic Reserve came under attack recently from the Upper Hutt branch of the Forest and Bird Society and Wellington Regional Council p...

Possum trapping and pest control goals don't match

A study by Landcare Research has found that trapping possums for their fur won't reduce the numbers enough to meet pest control and conservation goals.

1080 poison

Refers to DOC’s decision that 1080 poison should be used in the fight against the possum scourge.

Possum hunters hunt with bodyguards

Possum hunters hunt with bodyguards

Security guards have been flown to Greymouth after protests over the use of 1080 poison escalated.

Possum numbers

Possum numbers down from the heady days of the 1970-80s.

Possum bait station

Possum bait station

Near towns and cities, possums are controlled by placing poison baits into containers nailed onto tree trunks. This keeps the poison above the reach of children, dogs, and ground-dwelling birds.

TB and possum control

Bovine tuberculosis Bovine tuberculosis (TB), a contagious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis, is a serious threat to the cattle and deer farming industries. It poses an economic r...

Pee could be the key to pest control

A Christchurch researcher may have found a way to dramatically increase the effectiveness of possum traps.

1080 poison is often dropped from planes in remote areas to control possums. In the 1990s these bags of 1080 were tipped into a tractor scoop, to be loaded into a plane.

NZ has pest control lessons for UK

NZ has pest control lessons for UK

British environment minister says our possum control programme has provided valuable lessons for his country's fight with TB.

Possum-control operation map

Possum-control operation map

Image of a possum control operation map.

Anti-1080 protesters march in Hokitika

Anti-1080 protesters march in Hokitika

More than 200 protesters have marched through Hokitika today in protest against the continued use of 1080 for possum control.

Northland forest collapse

Northland forest collapse

In Northland, many great native forests and their wildlife are collapsing. Read more at www.forestandbird.org.nz/stopforestcollapse SCRIPT: Across Northland many great native forests and their wild...

Skinning possums

Skinning possums

Possums are trapped for their fur and meat. A good hunter can skin a dead possum in seconds – watch Merv Allen demonstrating his technique. The record for skinning a possum is 9.5 seconds, achieved...

Possum pies

Pete Salter is the Mayor of Pukekura and the baker of Pete's Possum Pies

Pest eradication

Pest eradication

Digital cartoon by Laurence Clark depicting two possums on a tree branch discussing New Zealand's pest eradication spending. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Biodegradable possum bait stations.

Possum eating a chick

Possum eating a chick

Although mainly plant eaters, possums will raid birds’ nests and eat eggs and chicks. In particular, they prey on forest birds such as kiwi, kererū and kōkako. Few chicks manage to fledge in forest...

Find out about this popular viral hoax and other irresponsible fake news.

1080 protesters wilfully ignorant

People are allowed to oppose 1080 and they are allowed to advocate for a law change, but they are not allowed to threaten the lives of others or endanger native wildlife.

Biological control of possums

Possums are one of New Zealand's biggest pests. Currently they are controlled by poisoning and trapping, but this is expensive and ongoing.

Researching biological control of possums: The ethics

Dr Doug Eckery from AgResearch talks about the ethics of using biocontrol as a more human way of controlling the growth of possums.

Using a worm to reduce possum numbers

A parasitic worm that naturally infects possums could be the key to controlling possum numbers in New Zealand.

Trapping best practice

Site for kids about trapping pests etc.

Everybody’s possum

DOC booklet on possums

Pest detective: Possums

Facts about this pest, and the damage they cause.

Possums: An ecological nightmare

An article about the brushtail possum and its impact on New Zealand forests.

Govt blocking breakthrough technology that could make New Zealand predator-free

There's a major roadblock within the Beehive over the role genetic engineering (GE) could play in a predator-free New Zealand by 2050.

Protesters make a nationwide stand against 1080

Thousands of anti-1080 protesters marched across the country on Saturday imploring the Government to stop allowing the controversial poison to be used.

A trap which gases rats, possums and stoats is amongst five new deadly trapping tools to kill off our worst critter criminals.

Māori & 1080: Separating myth from fact

Addressing concerns Māori have about the use of biodegradable 1080 for pest control and providing iwi/hapu with accurate information about how and why 1080 is used here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Drones to control invasive pests

Skies above remote parts of New Zealand’s back country will host new technology designed to drop baits in the path of rats, stoats and possums.

1080 (sodium fluoroacetate)

1080 (sodium fluoroacetate.)

'Department of Cruelty' placard

'Department of Cruelty' placard

This placard was made for a 1080 protest march in Te Anau on 8 October 2016. The march ended at the Department of Conservation's headquarters where this sign was left outside the office afterwards....

Ngataierua, Chris Te Kere :Photograph of anti-1080 protest, Wanganui, 24 August 1995

Ngataierua, Chris Te Kere :Photograph of anti-1080 protest, Wanganui, 24 August 1995

A demonstration against the use of 1080 poison marching along Victoria Avenue, Wanganui, 24 August 1995. A petition was presented to the Wanganui Board Trust. Arrangement: 1/2-181466-F Quantity:...

Possum-control operation map 1, Mangaroa / Kaitoke.

Possum-control operation map 1, Mangaroa / Kaitoke.

Printed in colour in the June 12, 2002 'Leader'. the regional council was to place an application before a city council sub-committee that night. They deferred action until a Medical Officer of Hea...

Anti 1080 protest at Parliament

Anti 1080 protest at Parliament

Digital photographs taken by Dylan Owen in September 2015 of protestors with placards "Ban 1080" at Parliament. Arrangement: Files were originally delivered to the library within a digital folder ...

Why New Zealand needs predator control

Predator control in New Zealand, why it is necessary and how you can be part of the Predator Free 2050 vision.

Information and advice about 1080 in New Zealand, and the laws and regulations that keep our environment, you, your family and pets safe.

Find more information about 1080 in New Zealand using EPIC. Databases recommended: New Zealand Geographic, and Australia New Zealand Reference Centre Plus.

A day Setting up 180 possum traps NZ

How I set out a trap line to catch possums in the bush.

The Australian brushtail possum is New Zealand’s most damaging animal pest.

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