Fun Fact #9: Possums in New Zealand. As you may know New Zealand a country with two islands off the South Coast of Australia. You may also know that it has no native mammal species except for one species of bat, its animal population consists of birds and more birds. Now the problem with birds is they don't have fur so when the Europeans settled New Zealand they decided to bring possums with them from Eastern Australia (this is the important part) for the fur trade. Possums have risen to become a major pest in New Zealand, eating the natives out of house and home (also eating chicks and eggs).

Question

trancenova · Answer

As a result 1080 poison is laid against them. This is possible because Eastern Australian possums are barely resistant to 1080 poison. Had the Europeans decided to take the possums from the other side of Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand and its birds would have a much bigger possum problem. W.A. possums are extremely resistant to 1080 poison. Thanks to Hannahbennett for reminding me of this fact.

anonymous · Answer

poor possums.
I love New Zealand because that was where The Lord Of The Rings was filmed.
By the way.... does anybody know what the old Zealand was?

trancenova · Answer

Yes, poor possums indeed... poor birds too! lol...i'm not sure if that's a good question or not.