WAYS OF THE WILD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 217, 13 September 1930, Page 1 (Supplement)

WAYS OF THE WILD.

A NATURALIST'S NOTEBOOK

STOATS, WEASELS AITD FERRETS IN 3T.Z.

(By A. T. PYCEOFT.)

A recent resolution passed by the Auckland Zoological Society requesting the Government to amend the Rabbit Nuisance Act removing the protection now afforded to stoats, weasels and ferrets, again draws attention to the

depredations of these vermin which threaten the future existence of our unique ground birds and cause considerable losses to poultry-keepers. The Hon. G. IL Thomson correctly states that nothing in connection with the naturalisation of wild animals into New Zealand has caused so mudi heart burning and controversy as the introduction of these bloodthirsty creatures. Sheepfanners were much, concerned with .the rapid increase of th< rabbit from 1866 onwards, when tin increase of rabbits was phenomenal, and in such numbers did they invade certain sheep stations in the South Island that some runholders left their stations. It was to combat this menace that pressure was brought to bear by sheepfarmers on the Government in the early 'eighties ta introduce ferrets. Numbers of were introduced in 1882, and in the fol« lowing year the chief rabbit inspector recommended the introduction of stoata and weasels. Ferrets were, however, first introduced into New Zealand by the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society in IS6T. Between March, ISS2, and July, 18S3, three hundred and seventy-six ferrets were introduced, and a substantial bonus was offered to anyone who would introduce a certain number _ of stoats and weasels in healthy condition. In 18S5 stoats and weasels were first introduced, and from then on hundreds were liberated in rabbit-infested areas. Several of the acclimatisation societies took strong exception to the action of the Government and of the sheep owners directly concerned, but as the societies were themselves directly responsible for the rabbits, their protests were ineffective. However much the introduction of stoats, weasels and ferrets is to be deplored the mischief has been done. Stoats and weasels are common in nearly every part of New Zealand, and in some parts are' enormously abundant. Ferrets, or the wild form, the polecats, are also met with. These animals have not-exterminated the rabbit; they do not even seem able in most parts to keep them in check. In regard to any natural enemy it is, of course, absolutely certain that it cannot exterminate, but ca,n only keep in check, the animal it is intended to cope with. If it does more, then its own means of livelihood I are imperilled, or it has to find other victims. As an example: In Taranaki, in March, 1917, a litter of nine sucking pigs was found destroyed one night, apparently either by stoats or weasels.

Notes on their Habits. It may be interesting to refer to the habits of these vermin, as observed by the late Andreas Reisehek, who was concerned about their introduction into New Zealand, and wrote as follows in 1885: — make great havoc- in Europe amongst the poultry and,.eggs, jand in Austria a reward is offered for their destruction. They destroy all the small animals and birds which they are able to overpower, and are even dangerous to children. Their movements are active, and they are good climbers, swimmers and divers. The ferret is stated to be almost as destructive as the polecat to small animals, birds and their eggs. They increase rapidly. The stoat or large weasel is very active, day or night, and is an expert in climbing, swimming or diving. Their prey is pursued st-eal-thily, a final spring being made to secure it. They are very plucky and vicious, and will attack and overpower animals three times their own size. If on-e cannot master its prey, on its making a hissing noise others come to its assistance to conquer the victim, biting at its throat till it succumbs. They even attack children, if they interfere with them- They are useful in destroying rats and mice, but do great harm" amongst poultry, small animals, birds and their eggs. Cases have been known where every fowl in a house and even pigeons in their cotes have been killed in one night. The common weasel is not behind the stoat in bloodthirstiness. In New Zealand a strong case has been made against these vermin. Sir Thomas McKenzie has recorded a case in which a weasel killed a black swan, and another which he saw in the Catlins district where a weasel brought down two tuis from a tree. In the Makaroa Valley wekas, kiwis and kakapos were formerly plentiful, but since the advent of the stoats and weasels they are very rare. Weasels are plentiful about Auckland, and the writer lost ten eggs from a sitting fowl in two days. On another occasion he saw a weasel holding a china nest egg in its fore paws and maintainin* its balance on its hind legs, quickly carrying it away. A neighbour reports the loss of five china nest eggs, also probablv taken by weasels. Weasels are plentiful in the Waitakeres; the writer caught one at a thousand feet elevation, of course, being a protected animal it was liberated. Ferrets are fairly common throughout New Zealand. It was formerly thought that this species, which does not in northern Europe survive the winter unless carefully housed, would not stand the winter in any part of NewZealand where it is severe. In Otago, however, rabbit trappers state that ferrets survive the winter quite easily. Apparently wet cold is their enemy, and where burrows are warm, they can stand the dry cold quite easily. Stoats are common from end to end of both islands. They are found as far north as Hokianga, where, at Kohukohu, they were reported in 1916 as not so numerous as they were some years previously. At that time a great number of the intrepid animals appeared on the eastern side of the Hokianga estuary, and were occasionally observed swimming across the river, which is about a mile wide. For the last year or more they have neither been seen nor heard of.

■ The Naturalist's Viewpoint. New Zealand's avifauna contains so many types of ancient forms or connecting links with a fauna of the past that its etudy is of the highest interest to the naturalists; therefore, to jeopardise lha future by the introduction and prutection of stoats, weasels and ferrets can only be regarded as a crime. Professor Newton, of Cambridge, and Sir Walter Bailer, with others, protested at. the time *a?ainst this iiisajie policy, ufc to no avail. These vermin are. now firmly established in this country, and it will be impossible to eradicate them. TVe can only trv to do what e«ry ianner in Great Britain is ±tM trying to decontrol an unmi%ited_ ewL