Possums

Some Possum Legacies - Why do we need to get rid of possums?

Brushtail Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula

Brushtail possums were first introduced from Australia into New Zealand in 1837. They were initially landed in Invercargill by Captain J. Howell with the intention of establishing a fur trade. With no native predators and the native plant life having no natural defence against these browsing mammals, there was nothing to stop the possums breeding out of control.

• Possums are a threat to New Zealand native flora and fauna - both by destroying the native natural habitat and directly feeding on natives. Possums have been seen stealing and eating birds eggs.
• Bovine Tb (tuberculosis). - Possums are very susceptible to bovine Tb and the disease progresses rapidly in possums. Infected possums excrete large quantities of the bacteria and if they are feeding on pasture where cattle or deer also feed there is a great risk of spreading the disease. Creating a major threat to New Zealand milk and beef exports.
• Possums eat pasture - It is estimated that only 10 possums will consume enough to graze one sheep.
• Possums eat roses and other garden plants - They will also live in our roof spaces, and given a chance become a general nuisance around homes and other buildings.
• Power poles and trees! - Possums cannot tell the difference, often causing massive blackouts and personal electrocution.
• Native trees under pressure - Continual browsing on favoured trees could cause the eradication of some unique New Zealand native trees including Rata.
• 30 Million Possums! - Landcare Research recently carried out a study to estimate the number of possums in New Zealand. Dr Bruce Warburton announced at the 2009 National Possum Control Agencies conference that he believes there could be as many as 30 million. If control was not undertaken he believes there would be as many as 48 million. Maintaining the 36% reduction is costing New Zealand around $80 million per annum. Trapping, shooting and poisoning are all used to stem the tide. See below to learn how you can help. The complete eradication of possums on Kapiti Island took 6 years and cost many hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• More information on possums.....

How to get rid of possums

NO Possum Cholecalciferol Gel Bait and non-toxic prefeed

This NEW product is an alternative to using 1080, cyanide, anti-coagulants and other toxins used for the ground control of possums in New Zealand. The unique gel formulation gives the product the ability to remain effective for long periods (up to 26 months) thus reducing waste and contamination of the environment. Cholecalciferol is vitamin D3 which is less persistent in the environment and the gel formulation of NO Possums keeps the toxin bound in the bait ready for the possum to consume it. The high specificity of the bait and the low secondary poisoning risk of cholecalciferol make it an ideal product for the protection of New Zealand's biodiversity.

1. Fix NO Possums Bait Stations on trees or posts in areas where possums are present. If possible identify trees which are being used by possums and fix the stations where possums can easily feed on the gel. If there is no access to the bait by dogs or stock the bait can be placed so that possums can feed from the ground. Otherwise place the station 2m or more above the ground where a branch or other provides a platform for possums to stand and feed.
2. Use NO Possums Pre-feed first to acclimatize the possums to feeding on the gel. When there is a good amount of pre-feed taken, replace with the Cholecalciferol toxic bait. Replenish the bait when it is all taken.
3. When no more bait is taken the bait can be left in place for many months to control new possums moving into the area.
4. Damage to trees and other plants can be reduced by the use of NO Damage Thiroprotect which is a repellent to possums and other browsing animals. 

Guidelines on using NO Possums Cholecalciferol Gel Bait

NO POSSUMS CHOLECALCIFEROL GEL BAIT

This is a long term, up to 3 years, gel bait that can be left out in all weathers and kills any possums which eat it.  Purchasers do not need a license to purchase or put out the gel bait.  The bait is contained within a bait station and is highly palatable to possums.  Trials have shown minimal risk to non target species such as New Zealand native fauna and virtually no secondary poisoning from dogs eating possum carcasses.

More information.....

NO POSSUMS PRE FEED GEL BAIT (NON-TOXIC)

Using this long life pre-feed gel before the use of the toxic bait increases toxic bait take and increases the effectiveness of the control. The take of the pre-feed will also give an indication of possum activity and the level of toxic bait to use. Some users may leave the non-toxic bait in place over long periods only replacing with the toxic bait when a take is noted. This means that toxins are not left in place for extended periods. The pre-feed can also be used as a lure for possum trapping for fur, skin and control.

More information.....

NO DAMAGE THIROPROTECT

Animal Repellent - No Rabbit, Hare & Opossum Damage offers long term protection of trees and other plants that would be damaged by possum, rabbit or hare browsing. Protects seedlings and young trees from browsing on young shoots and prevents ring barking that might kill more mature trees.

More information.....

Classroom Clips

• It was estimated in 1993 that there 70 million possums in NZ. No one knows how many are here now but it was recently estimated that the real number now in NZ is closer to 30 million.
• Possums may digest in excess of 21,000 tonnes of our forests and pasture daily.
• Possum numbers are highest near bush edges because of good quality pasture.
• It is estimated that 10 possums consumes as pasture enough for one sheep.
• Possums are usually solitary animals.
• Cool southern areas breed bigger animals than northern areas.
• Nocturnal, omnivorous marsupials, possums sleep during the day, eat both plants and small creatures and have a pouch to keep there young in.
• Possum dens are normally found in thickets of gorse, flax, scrub and among the roots of trees. Occasionally in the forks of trees, but mainly close to ground level.
• When travelling, possums dislike dense undergrowth and do not like wet feet.
• Possum numbers are regulated by the availability of a suitable food supply and the predators that control them. Consequently, due to the high density of suitable vegetation and the lack of natural predators here in New Zealand our possum density is more than 10 times that of Australia.
• Possums are very selective browsers and often return again and again to the same trees and shrubs, stripping them completely of all new growth shoots and fruit often to the stage where the tree will simply die.
• 75% of all RATA - KAMAHI forests in New Zealand have suffered severe damage.
• More than 70 New Zealand native trees and shrubs form an integral part of the possums diet with numerous other ferns, vegetables, fruits, grains and grasses topping off their menu.
• Possums however cannot stomach Kauri because of the leaves which contain high levels of Terpenes.
• Possum fur trade was at its peak in the early 1980's with over 3.2 million pelts exported annually worth over 23 million dollars in exports.
• The current anti-fur sentiment worldwide resulted in a drastic downturn in demand. In 1992 only 100,000 pelts were exported.
• Normally breeding only once a year in the autumn, the gestation period is 13 - 18 days after which time the blind, naked young travel up into the pouch where they remain for approximately 120 - 130 days, vacating the pouch completely by 200 days.
• Normal life span is 5 - 6 years, occasionally up to 10.

Kiwicare - Yellow How To Guide