Common Brushtail Possum in New Zealand

Common Brushtail Possum in New Zealand
The Common Brushtail Possum.

The Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is a major agricultural and conservation pest in New Zealand. It also goes by the name Paihamu.[1]

Contents

Introduction by European settlers

European settlers aiming to establish a wild source for food and fibre and fur pelts for clothing introduced the Common Brushtail Possum from Australia to New Zealand. In 2009, the New Zealand population was estimated to be 30 million.[2]

Impacts

NZ possum spread 1870 - 1990.jpg

Agriculture

Possums are vectors of bovine tuberculosis, which is a major threat to the dairy, beef and deer farming industries.[3] The disease is endemic in possums across approximately 38 per cent of New Zealand (known as ‘vector risk areas’). In these areas, nearly 70 per cent of new herd infections can be traced back to possums or ferrets. The Biosecurity Act 1993, which established a National Pest Management Strategy, is the legislation behind control of the disease in New Zealand. The Animal Health Board (AHB) operates a nationwide programme of cattle testing and possum control with the goal of eradicating M. bovis from wild vector species across 2.5 million hectares – or one quarter – of New Zealand’s at-risk areas by 2026 and, eventually, eradicating the disease entirely.[4]

The TBfree New Zealand programme is regarded as "world-leading".[5] It has successfully reduced cattle and deer herd infection rates from more than 1700 in 1994 to fewer than 100 herds in July 2011. Much of this success can be attributed to sustained possum control reducing cross-infection and breaking the disease cycle. For example, at Hohotaka, in New Zealand's central North Island, control work from 1988 to 1994 achieved a sustained mean reduction of 87.5% in the density of Tb‐infected possums. As expected, annual Tb incidence in local cattle herds consequently declined by a similar amount (83.4%).[6]

Possums are controlled through a combination of trapping, ground-baiting and, where other methods are impractical, aerial treament with 1080 poison.[7]

From 1979–1984, possum control was stopped due to lack of funding. In spite of regular and frequent TB testing of cattle herds, the number of infected herds snowballed and continued to increase until 1994.[8] The area of New Zealand where there were TB wild animals expanded from about 10 to 40 per cent.

That possums are such effective transmitters of TB appears to be facilitated by their behaviour once they succumb to the disease. Terminally ill TB possums will show increasingly erratic behaviour, such as venturing out during the daytime to get enough food to eat, and seeking out buildings in which to keep warm. As a consequence they may wander on to paddocks, where they naturally attract the attention of inquisitive cattle and deer. This behaviour has been captured on video.[9]

Conservation

The introduction of possums has been ecologically damaging because the native vegetation has evolved in the absence of mammalian omnivores. Possums selectively browse native vegetation causing particular damage to broadleaved trees, notably Metrosideros species including rata. This leads to competition for food with native forest birds, changes in forest composition and eventually canopy collapse. Possums are opportunists and will eat the eggs of native birds. They do not have so much impact on Southern Beech (Nothofagus), but their presence tends to reduce the species diversity of Nothofagus forest since they eat many of the other species that would naturally be present. The predation of bird eggs and chicks has led them to be referred to as "reluctant folivores" in that they eat foliage to survive but prefer other foods.[10]

Control

Attempts to reduce numbers by trapping and poisoning have had some success. Trapping and cyanide are generally used by individual hunters as pest control or fur harvesting, while the Department of Conservation, Animal Health Board and Regional Councils use biodegradable 1080 poison[11] to target larger areas. Studies by DoC have found that the risk of the few losses of native birds; (34 individuals in 70 aerial drop operations) and native invertebrates and mammals are outweighed by the recovery of the native species once the competition for food and predation has been eased. There is the added benefit of killing other invasive species. There have been isolated reports of pets, in particular dogs, succumbing to poisoning from 1080, probably through eating possum carcasses. The Animal Health Board[12] and the Department of Conservation jointly operate poison drops. The effects of these drops on the environment have been considered by ERMA in allowing the use of 1080.[13] and in consultation with Māori.[14] There is opposition against the use of 1080 from some quarters since New Zealand is now the world's largest consumer of 1080.[15]

To prevent damage to young trees it seems to be necessary to keep numbers very low, perhaps 5% of the levels that would be reached without interference. DoC is the largest single agency involved in possum control and much possum control is also carried by the AHB, councils and regional authorities, especially to combat the threat of bovine tuberculosis.

In 2009, it was announced that conservation measures had achieved some significant success, especially in certain regions, and had reduced possum numbers to around 30 million animals from a carrying capacity of 48 million. (Estimates produced in the 1980s of 70 million possums were flawed.) Almost half (13.3 million hectares) of New Zealand's vegetated land is under some form of possum control, either for conservation reasons, or to reduce the spread of bovine tuberculosis.[16]

Economic uses

A small cottage industry in fur pelts and wool mixed with possum fur fibre has developed, and trappers and hunters provide the raw material. The fur is often sold as 'eco-fur' by a number of small manufacturing and retailing businesses.[17] The numbers of animals taken for fur is rising and has almost equalled the numbers killed in poisoning. A number of New Zealand companies are exporting possum carcasses to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia for human consumption, where possum is regarded as a delicacy and known as "Kiwi bear".[18] There is also a small industry processing possum meat as 'Possyum' dog food,[19] also for export. In an example of "coals to Newcastle", NZ Biosecurity has a regulation governing the import of frozen possum meat from Australia for human consumption.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ Eco-Luxury Fur™ (2008-2010). "World's Most Eco-Friendly Fur". http://www.eco-luxuryfur.com/eco.html. Retrieved 4 November 2011. 
  2. ^ NZPA (26 November 2009). "NZ possum population halved since 1980s". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/603uCf7t7. Retrieved 10 July 2011. 
  3. ^ DOC (July 2004). "3.1 Possums as reservoirs of bovine tuberculosis: Why we use 1080 for pest control". The use of 1080 for pest control. Department of Conservation. http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentPage.aspx?id=39917. Retrieved 10 July 2011. 
  4. ^ "TBfree New Zealand programme". http://www.ahb.org.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=116. 
  5. ^ "Bovine TB control: What are other countries doing?". 21 July 2011. http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2011/07/19/127893/Bovine-TB-control-what-are-other-countries-doing.htm. 
  6. ^ Kean, J.M.; Barlow, N. D. and Hickling, G.J. (1999). Evaluating potential sources of bovine tuberculosis infection in a New Zealand cattle herd. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research.. doi:10.1080/00288233.1999.9513358. 
  7. ^ "The use of 1080 for pest control – 3.1 Possums as reservoirs of bovine tuberculosis". 2011. http://www.doc.govt.nz/publications/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/the-use-of-1080-for-pest-control/3-why-we-use-1080-for-pest-control/3_1-possums-as-reservoirs-of-bovine-tuberculosis/. 
  8. ^ "Future freedom from bovine TB, Graham Nugent (Landcare Research)". 2011. http://www.ourfuture.net.nz/Stories/180. 
  9. ^ "Dr Paul Livingstone letter to the editor". Gisborne Herald, 26 May 2011. http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article/?id=22957. 
  10. ^ DOC (July 2004). "3.4 Possum impacts on native animals". The use of 1080 for pest control. Department of Conservation. http://www.doc.govt.nz/publications/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/the-use-of-1080-for-pest-control/3-why-we-use-1080-for-pest-control/3_4-possum-impacts-on-native-animals/. Retrieved 10 July 2011. 
  11. ^ DOC (July 2004). "5. Outcomes of 1080 use: The use of 1080 for pest control". The use of 1080 for pest control. Department of Conservation. http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentPage.aspx?id=39927. Retrieved 10 July 2011. 
  12. ^ "1080 Information". Animal Health Board. 2009. http://www.ahb.org.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=180. Retrieved 10 July 2011. 
  13. ^ "The reassessment process: The use of 1080 for pest control". Department of Conservation. http://www.doc.govt.nz/publications/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/the-use-of-1080-for-pest-control/2-the-reassessment-process/. Retrieved 21 July 2010. 
  14. ^ 1080
  15. ^ Stop 1080 Poison
  16. ^ "New research estimates there are about 30 million possums in New Zealand". Landcare Research. 9 December 2009. http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/news/release.asp?Ne_ID=284. Retrieved 6 April 2011. 
  17. ^ "Welcome to New Zealand Possum Products". New Zealand Souvenirs Mall. http://www.nzgifts-souvenirs.co.nz/industry/#welcomehome. 
  18. ^ http://nzpossumproducts.co.nz/industry/links_furother.htm#links-other
  19. ^ Dawson Furs – Manufacturers of Possum Fur Products Including Yarn and Duvet Covers – Possyum
  20. ^ Frozen possum meat from Australia, Import Health Standard for the Importation of Frozen Possum (Trichosorus vulpecula) Meat into New Zealand from Australia, Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, Dated: 3 August 1998, Biosecurity New Zealand, retrieved 11 April 2008.

Further reading

  • Cowan, P. E., et al. (1997). Effects of possum browsing on northern rata, Orongorongo valley, Wellington, New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 27, 173–179.
  • Payton, I. J., et al. (1997). Response of selected tree species to culling of introduced Australian brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula at Waipoua Forest, Northland, New Zealand. Biological Conservation, 81, 247–255.
  • Rogers, G. M., & Leathwick, J. R. (1997). Factors predisposing forests to canopy collapse in the southern Ruahine Range, New Zealand. Biological Conservation, 80, 325–338
  • Montague, T. L. (2000). The Brushtail Possum: Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial. Manaaki Whenua Press. ISBN 0-478-09336-5. 

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Common Brushtail Possum — Common Brushtail Possum[1] Common brushtail possums at Austins Ferry, Tasmania, Australia Conservation status …   Wikipedia

  • Common ringtail possum — Common ringtail possum[1] Conservation status …   Wikipedia

  • New Zealand Pigeon — On Kapiti Island, New Zealand Conservation status …   Wikipedia

  • Mammals of New Zealand — Hector s dolphins at Porpoise Bay, in the Catlins. Prior to human settlement, the mammals of New Zealand consisted of just three species of bat, and a large number of marine mammal species. The Māori brought the kurī and kiore in about 1250 CE,[ …   Wikipedia

  • Biodiversity of New Zealand — The Leiopelmatidae are one of the many families endemic to New Zealand. The biodiversity of New Zealand, a large Pacific archipelago, is one of the most unusual on Earth, due to its long isolation from other continental landmasses. Its affinities …   Wikipedia

  • Conservation in New Zealand — The Black Robin. Saving the bird was a major conservation success story. Conservation in New Zealand has a history associated with both Māori and Europeans. Both groups of people caused a loss of species and both amended their behaviour after… …   Wikipedia

  • Possum — Taxobox name = Possums image width = 240px image caption = Common Brushtail Possum ( Trichosurus vulpecula ) regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Mammalia infraclassis = Marsupialia ordo = Diprotodontia subordo = Phalangeriformes subordo …   Wikipedia

  • List of mammals of New South Wales — This is a list of mammals of New South Wales: [cite url | publisher = NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service | title = Atlas of NSW Wildlife | url = http://wildlifeatlas.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/wildlifeatlas/watlas.jsp | accessdate = 2008 04… …   Wikipedia

  • Introduced species — Alien species redirects here. For life on planets other than Earth, see Extraterrestrial life. For a list of extraterrestrials in fiction, see List of alien species. Sweet clover (Melilotus sp.), introduced and naturalized to the U.S. from… …   Wikipedia

  • Fuchsia excorticata — Taxobox name = Fuchsia excorticata image width = 240px regnum = Plantae divisio = Magnoliophyta classis = Magnoliopsida ordo = Myrtales familia = Onagraceae genus = Fuchsia species = F. excorticata binomial = Fuchsia excorticata binomial… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”