Overview
Before the end of the 19th century the settlers had become alarmed at the economic loss and soil erosion caused by rabbits. Rabbits ruined many high country stations and farmers demanded the government bring in natural enemies of the rabbit: stoats, ferrets and weasels. Despite warnings from many ornithologists.
It soon became clear that mustelids were not having the impact sought and evidence mounted that predation was almost confined to the birds rather than the rabbits. By the 1890's a drastic decline in native birds was noted in areas where mustelids had been introduced. By 1903 the government changed its policy and Acclimatisation societies began offering bounties but this had no appreciable effect.
Ferrets are the domesticated polecat Mustela furo, and were readily obtained from gamekeepers in Europe and Australia where they had been introduced. Between 1867 and 1880 many thousands were liberated. Today ferrets are locally common in open farmland, grassland, riverbeds and coastal dunes. Generally they breed in September – March and have 5-20 young after a 42 day gestation and may produce two litters per year.
Stoats and weasels were introduced from 1884 onwards to supplement ferret releases (3000 in 1885 alone).
Stoats are common especially in areas of bush. Weasels are erratic in distribution, Young are born in September and usually only live one year. Food mice, rats, lizards, snails birds.