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License to take or kill possums, by New Zealand Post & Telegraph Department, 1924. Alexander Turnbull Library. h-A-HUNTING-1924-01-inside
License to take or kill possums, by New Zealand Post & Telegraph Department, 1924. Alexander Turnbull Library. h-A-HUNTING-1924-01-inside

Description

Possums are not native to New Zealand. They were successfully introduced from Australia in the 1850s in order to establish a fur trade. But no one then could have predicted the immense damage possums would cause to our native forests and wildlife. As this 1924 permit shows, possums have been hunted for their fur for many years. Today it is the fur that is mostly taken from dead possums not the pelt. Early in 2012 hand plucked possum fur peaked at $145 a kilo.

Discussion

Name five types of animals that have been introduced into New Zealand. Why do you think they were introduced?

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