The brushtail possum was introduced to New Zealand from Australia in the 1830s to establish a fur trade. Without natural predators, possum populations exploded, and they've become a significant ecological threat across New Zealand.
In urban and residential areas, possums can cause extensive damage to properties by nesting in roof spaces, damaging insulation, chewing electrical wiring, and destroying gardens and fruit trees. Their droppings can also contaminate water tanks and create health hazards.
