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Animal Pests

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Animal pests are a big threat to New Zealand's special biodiversity. Controlling these pests is an important part of ecological restoration.

Animal pests are a big threat to New Zealand's special biodiversity. Controlling these pests is an important part of ecological restoration.

Why are some animals a pest?

New Zealand has been geographically separated from other land masses for over 80 million years. Throughout this time our native wildlife learned to live without land mammals, while our native plants have not needed to develop defences against them. The only mammals living here during that time were bats.

When people arrived they also brought in land mammals. Sometimes this was intentional (for example, rabbits) and sometimes accidental (for example, ship rats). These animals took a serious toll on the survival of our native plants, birds, reptiles and invertebrates. New Zealand’s special biodiversity was unable to deal with the threat. In many parts of the country these introduced animals are now pests.

What do animal pests do?

Pests such as possums, rats, feral cats and stoats compete with our native birdlife for food and habitat. They also eat the eggs and young and attack the adults. They are also a major cause of decline for many other species, including reptiles and invertebrates. These animals are often called predators.

Larger pests such as goats and deer cause damage to native forests by feeding on forest plants, trees and seedlings. Forests can’t regenerate when these young seedlings are eaten. Pigs stop forest growth by digging up the forest floor in search of grubs and roots.

Predator Free 2050

Predator Free 2050 is an ambitious goal to get rid of New Zealand’s most damaging introduced predators: rats, stoats and possums. Becoming predator-free will have many benefits for New Zealand. A key benefit is the protection of our native and endemic biodiversity. It also has cultural, social and economic benefits.

How can you get involved?

Predators are found in both urban and rural areas. In urban areas, you can make a difference by monitoring and trapping predator species on your own property. Schools can also make an impact by working with local councils to control predators in the school grounds and encourage the wider community to get involved.

Why are some animals a pest?

New Zealand has been separated from other land for over 80 million years. During this time our native wildlife learned to live without land mammals. And our native plants have not needed to develop defences against them. The only mammals living here during that time were bats.

When people arrived they also brought in land mammals. These animals damaged our native plants, birds, reptiles and invertebrates. In many parts of the country these introduced animals are now pests.

What do animal pests do?

Pests such as possums, rats, feral cats and stoats compete with our native birdlife for food and habitat. They eat the eggs and young and attack the adults. They have also reduced numbers of species like reptiles and invertebrates. These pest animals are often called predators.

Larger pests such as goats and deer damage native forests. They feed on forest plants, trees and seedlings. Forests can’t regenerate when these young seedlings are eaten. Pigs stop forest growth by digging up the forest floor in search of grubs and roots.

Predator Free 2050

Predator Free 2050 is a goal to get rid of New Zealand’s most damaging introduced predators: rats, stoats and possums. Becoming predator-free will protect our native and endemic biodiversity. 

How can you get involved?

Predators are found in both urban and rural areas. You could monitor and trap predators on your own property. Schools can also help by working with local councils to control predators in the school grounds. Schools can also encourage the community to get involved.

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The only mammals living in New Zealand before humans arrived were bats. Image: DOC.

When people arrived in New Zealand they also brought in land mammals. In many parts of the country these introduced animals are now pests. Image: LEARNZ.

Pests such as possums, rats, feral cats and stoats compete with our native birdlife for food and habitat. They are also a major cause of decline for many native and endemic species. Image: LEARNZ.

Introduced mammals are often called predators. Image: LEARNZ.

Larger pests such as goats and deer cause damage to native forests by feeding on forest plants, trees and seedlings. Forests can’t regenerate when these young seedlings are eaten. Image: Wikipedia.

A key benefit of New Zealand becoming predator free is the protection of our native and endemic biodiversity. Image: LEARNZ.

Before starting a trapping programme, it pays to find out what animal pests there are to begin with. These students are checking prints from a tracking tunnel. Image: LEARNZ.

Knowing what pest animals are around will help you decide what traps to get. You can then get involved with trapping at home or at school. Image: LEARNZ.

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