Possums

Early settlers first introduced possums to New Zealand during the 1830s in a bid to establish a fur trade.Although the first attempt to introduce possums failed, another attempt was made in 1858.

By 1921, possums were widespread throughout the country. In 1948 possums were declared a pest, as populations continued to spread. Possum numbers peaked during the 1980s, with an estimated 50–80 million possums in New Zealand.

Possums graze heavily on their favourite trees, often returning nightly to the same spot. They consume leaves, buds, fruits and flowers. Possums can kill trees that are repeatedly targeted, resulting in changes to the ecology of the forest. In 1993, possums were caught on camera eating the eggs and chicks of endangered kōkako. Since then, possums have been caught raiding the nests of a wide range of native birds and will eat the eggs, chicks and even adults of many species. Each possum consumes 300–400g of vegetation (about 3 shopping bags full) each and every night. Multiply that by millions of possums and it all adds up to a huge impact on our native vegetation!

After months of catching almost no possums in the Leigh area, these pesky critters have recently started turning up in traps again. Keep possum traps baited with fresh fruit or smooth lure. A blaze of sweet flour lure helps add interest. Reducing possum numbers is a vital step towards restoring New Zealand's forests, and protecting our birds and invertebrates.