When were possums introduced to New Zealand?

Answer 1

The brushtail possum (Trichosurus Vulpecula) was first brought to NZ from Australia in 1837 with the intention of establishing a fur industry. This proved unsuccessful and possums were allowed to spread throughout the country destroying native bush and having a devastating effect on native wildlife. There are estimated 65-70 million possums in New Zealand and possum control is a never-ending and possibly unwinnable battle. Possum is now considered a green fur, that is, a fur that is good for the environment because the animal it comes from is such a destructive pest.

Answer 2

Possums were introduced to New Zealand in the 1800s, and since then, have caused considerable destruction to New Zealand's environment.

In New Zealand, possums are taking over native bushland, pushing out native species of birds, for which New Zealand is unique. Possums eat the birds' foods, nest in their trees, and are one of the greatest threats to native bird species. They have been recorded eating eggs and chicks from birds' nests.

Their feeding habits also disrupt the food supplies for native bats, lizards and even insects. They feed on the vegetation, reducing its availability for native species, and nest in the trees, forcing smaller species out. There are no natural predators of the possum in New Zealand, so their population has increased dramatically.

Possums strip the native plants of leaves, buds, flowers, fruits and seeds, meaning less chances of propagation. New Zealand trees do not have defensive chemicals of some Australian native trees, meaning the possums can continue to eat from one tree until the tree has been severely affected. Many of these plant species are disappearing from the New Zealand forests, and allowing invasive non-native species to take hold of the forests.

Answer 3

Possums have been in New Zealand for over 150 years. There was an initial, unsuccessful attempt to introduce the possum into New Zealand in 1837, but the species really only took off when they were reintroduced in 1858.

Answer 4

Very much so. Possums were introduced to New Zealand in the 1830s (for the fur trade), and since then, they have caused considerable destruction to the environment.

To begin with, possums are taking over native bushland, pushing out native species of birds, for which New Zealand is unique. Possums eat the birds' foods, nest in their trees, and are one of the greatest threats to native bird species. They have been recorded eating eggs and chicks from birds' nests.

Their feeding habits also disrupt the food supplies for native bats, lizards and even insects. They feed on the vegetation, reducing its availability for native species, and nest in the trees, forcing smaller species out. There are no natural predators of the possum in New Zealand, so their population has increased dramatically.

Possums strip the native plants of leaves, buds, flowers, fruits and seeds, meaning less chances of propagation. New Zealand trees do not have defensive chemicals of some Australian native trees, meaning the possums can continue to eat from one tree until the tree has been severely affected.

Many of these plant species are disappearing from the New Zealand forests, and allowing invasive non-native species to take hold of the forests.

Economically, possums are a disaster because they eat pastures and crops, resulting in loss of farmers' income. They also eat the young pines in pine plantations. The figure spent by government agencies on possum control in 2006 was $111 million.

Answer 5

Mostly Possums are found in the bush and tree lines all around NZ, thought they predominate more in the North Island than the South Island.
They survive anywhere

Answer 6

Brushtail possums were introduced into New zealand from Australia in the 1830s for the fur trade.

Answer 7

Possums were introduced in the 1830s for the fur trade.

Answer 8

Sugar gliders (which are a species of possum) and Common brushtail possums have both been introduced into New Zealand.