Possums Eradicated

Forest and Bird, Volume 18, Issue 4, 1 November 1987, Page 9

Possums Eradicated

A magnificent sustained effort over the past few years has seen all possums exterminated off both Kapiti and Codfish Islands. When the proposal was mooted to exterminate possums off Kapiti, the sceptics said it could never be done. However, a determined Peter Daniel, ranger on the island, and a dedicated team of trappers, including Bob Cairns and leader Geoff Alexander, proved the sceptics wrong. It’s been estimated that since 1980 about 20,000 possums have been killed. Already the effects are obvious, with trees such as kohekohe seeding for the first time in years. Previously the possums ate the green seed pods before they had a chance to mature. The resurgence of vegetation will give birdlife a boost and more endangered species will be able to be transferred to Kapiti. Meanwhile, the end of the possums on Codfish means a fresh start for Stewart Island's beleagured kakapo population, which has been pestered by cats. The Department of Conservation has begun transferring the kakapo to Codfish in a last ditch stand to save the species.