Possum

Introduced from Australia in the nineteenth century, possums have become one of New Zealand's most widespread pest species and are increasingly being seen at Waikawa Beach and surrounding areas.

Possums feed on leaves, flowers, fruit and new growth and can place significant pressure on native trees and shrubs, particularly as restoration plantings mature and begin producing food sources attractive to wildlife. They can also prey on eggs and chicks of native birds and compete with native species for food and habitat.

As native planting and habitat restoration increase around Waikawa Beach, managing pest species such as possums becomes increasingly important to ensure the benefits of this work are not lost.

Monitoring and controlling possum numbers where appropriate helps protect both biodiversity and the many volunteer hours invested in restoring our local environment.

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Traps and bait stations

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