1 = a
It was in the 1830’s, 1837 to be exact. It would have been a lot better for New
Zealand’s native plants and animals if the possum had never been brought to New
Zealand.2 = c
The possum is native to Australia. In fact, in Australia it is protected. Possums are not
a problem in Australia like they are in New Zealand.
3 = b
Possums were brought to New Zealand to start a fur industry. At the height of the fur
trade, trappers killed 20 million possums in a year. But that did not make much of a dent
in possum numbers. Possum numbers can build up quickly because every mother possum has a
baby each year.
4 = d
There are about 70 million possums in New Zealand! In one night 70 million possums chomp
their way through about 20,000 tonnes of vegetation - that is equal to about the same
weight as 190 million burgers!
5 = d
Possums eat about 7.3 million tonnes of vegetation. Possums like to eat the juicy new
growth on trees - it is very hard for the tree to grow when all of its new growth is being
eaten. In New Zealand forests possums will go back to the same tree night after night,
eating the tree to death. The possum's favourite trees are New Zealand natives, such as
the pohutukawa, rata, totara, kowhai and kohekohe.
6 = a
1080 is Sodium monofluoroacetate. It is an artificially-made substance used to kill
possums but is like a naturally occurring poison found in some South African, South
American and Australian trees. 1080 is the most commonly used method of possum control in
New Zealand. 1080 is sometimes dropped from planes to cover larger areas where possums
need to be controlled and is also used in bait stations.
7 = a
The baits are died green, a colour unattractive to birds. The bait is made with things
possums like to eat like carrots, apple pulp and cereal.
8 = b
It’s bovine tuberculosis. Possums can spread bovine tuberculosis to cows, cattle and
deer, so possums can be a problem for farmers. If the farmer's animals get tuberculosis
they will get sick and may die.
9 = b
Possums don’t like living in cold, damp places. They like to live in weatherproof
nests, perhaps in a shed or barn, sheltered trees, hollow logs or holes in banks.
10 = d
The number one enemy of pohutukawa and rata trees is the possum! In 1990 'Project
Crimson' was started by Carter Holt Harvey Limited with the help of the Department of
Conservation. The project encourages and co-ordinates schools, clubs and community groups
in the planting and care of pohutukawa and rata trees and also educates people about the
damage possums are doing to these native trees. Some Forest and Bird and Kiwi Conservation
Club members also help Project Crimson by planting native trees – cool. |
