POSSUM MANAGEMENT IN NEW ZEALAND
Dana Rachelle Peterson
This investigation has confirmed the magnitude of the threat posed by
possums, which should not be underestimated. New Zealand’s native biota
and natural values are at risk from the damaging effects of possums and,
although the incidence of bovine Tb may not have serious financial effects on
individual farmers, it could significantly affect the New Zealand economy.
Ongoing possum control over more than a third of New Zealand, using current
techniques, will be essential until there is a breakthrough in the search for
new methods of control.
Managing the possum threat confers a national, regional and district benefit
as well as a benefit to individual landholders. This will mean allocating costs
equitably across all sectors which benefit from possum control.