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 Facts on the New Zealand Possum
- The possum was introduced into New Zealand from Australia in the 1830's to start a fur trade. The possum thrived on New Zealand 's lush vegetation.
- The possum is a nocturnal animal.
- There are approximately 70 million wild possums in New Zealand at present.
- Those 70 million possums consume around 20 tonne of vegetation per night.
- The possum spreads diseases such as tuberculosis to cattle and other farmed animals.
- Possums have been found to eat Kiwi eggs.
- The New Zealand government spends around $1.5 million per week trying to eradicate this pest.
- There are no farmed possums in New Zealand. All are wild.
- The New Zealand possum is accepted world wide as an ecological fur – it is also one of the most luxurious furs in the world.
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