Pest
Introduction
Possums are one of the most destructive pests to ever roam the land of New Zealand, because possums carry diseases and need to eat a lot of plant life. Possums are not good for the environment and will keep destroying it unless humans do something. So the big question is, what is the best way to contain a possum?
Research Question 1
Besides vegetation, possums eat invertebrates such as weta and snails.They also eat the chicks and eggs of native birds such as; kokako, kereru, fantail, and tuis.It has been estimated that up to 21,000 tonnes of vegetation a night is destroyed by possums. As well as competing for food with native insects, bats, and birds, they also eat them and their eggs and nestlings. Possums also drive native animals out of their dens and nesting sites. By eating fruits and flowers, possums deprive nectar-feeding birds like tūī, kākā and bellbirds of the high-energy food they need in key periods such as the breeding season. Possums also take over dens that kiwi use – sometimes their mere presence disturbs native birds in their activities.
Research Question 2
Possums came to New Zealand in 1837 and came from Australia to establish the fur trade. But this release was unsuccessful so 20 years later a second release was made in the exact location on the south island. European settlers imported the Australian brushtail possum in 1837 for the fur trade, mainly from Tasmania. By 1922, 30 batches of possums had been liberated in 464 different places across Aotearoa/New Zealand. The area of the country they occupied is estimated to have increased from 54% in 1950 to 91% by 1980.
Research Question 3
Possums compete for food with birds that pollinate flowers and disperse seed, reducing the numbers of birds and disrupting the links between plants and their co-evolved birds. Possums also carry bovine tuberculosis (TB). They spread the disease to New Zealand’s cattle and deer herds, which threatens the meat export industries. Possums can also damage horticultural and garden crops.
Research Question 4
Possums are currently controlled through trapping and poisoning (mainly 1080). These methods are very costly and in the case of poisoning, not specific to possums. Trapping is the most effective method for controlling Possums and Stoats in accessible areas like controlled forests.
Research Question 5
Decal/Feracol\ The active ingredient cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) kills possums and rats. The persistent residue level is rated low and there is only a low risk of secondary poisoning. No license is required and the poison has a good field life.
Report Question 6
When it comes to doing a task or controlling a pest you really want the best, because logic is the more it costs the more likely the better it is. Sometimes it might be the other way around, the cheaper solution is the best. The most efficient way to control possum is by using traps, mainly a kill trap. The second way is using poison since poison is useful and can be used on all pests. The third way is shooting them which is pretty much a simple way.
Research Question 7
The direct effect of the possum industry doubling its output value is an expansion in possum-related exports (fiber, hides, and garments) of $35 million. Direct economic losses to the private sector from possums are estimated to be as high as $60m per year.
References
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1082-biological-control-of-possums-introduction
https://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-NZ/00PLEcoRP00021/6d5c186408a30f113262cccd0bbeda0a0d34a46c
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/methods-of-control/
https://teara.govt.nz/en/possums/page-4
https://nzfurcouncil.org.nz/possum-ecology/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_brushtail_possum_in_New_Zealand
https://www.pestdetective.org.nz/culprits/possum/
https://predatorfreenz.org/toolkits/know-your-target-predators/possum-facts-and-control-tips/
https://www.trc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Guidelines/Pestanimal-infosheets/PA-possumcontrolguide.pdf
https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/services/plant-and-animal-pests/possums/