4.2 Wild Animal Management

Authors: C H Cochrane
Publication: NZIF Forestry Handbook, Volume Section 4 – Forests and the environment, pp 2, Dec 2023
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

---

Abstract: Currently, New Zealand has 22 feral or wild introduced mammalian herbivores (Table 1) which reduce biodiversity values on conservation land and impact on production lands. These species are a legacy of a long period of introductions that began when Maori introduced the kiore and kuri (Thomson 1922) and continued with first European animal liberations in the late 1700s. These animals represent the successful survivors of attempts to establish a wide range of mammals in New Zealand between the late 1700s and early 1900s (Table 1). As well as the herbivores, nine other mammals have established including rats, cats, ferrets, stoats and weasels.

---