SCRAPS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14758, 30 August 1913, Page 9

SCRAPS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

(Bγ Canterbury..)

{SPECIALLY WBITTK.V FOE "THE niESS.").

DECREASE OF OPOSSUMS.

8-1. Since this time a year ago ; tho opossums have become far less numerous in South Canterbury: and though they are still plentiful here or there, the work of trapping should not yet proceed. It is reported that those who control such matters have decided "protection is not necessary, and will not bn renewed,' , but if our present system of "protection" is of any avail, it might very well have continued for another year. In certain places a large amount of damage may have occurred: we are told "the 'possums got most of my apples," or that they are barking the fruit branches, or coveting choice kinds of garden stulf ; but under such conditions the remedy is at iiand. I am

aware of a way of poisoning which line cleared out all the opossums in several districts; though these extreme steps are .scarcely needed, when tho animals can be trapped so easily. An acquaintance, who owns a fruit garden to which, tln> 'possums wore in the habit of paying nightly visits, has trapped thirtytwo ot tJiem within the last six months, and not many are left in tho neighbourhood. Presumably, the opossums were introduced in hope of establishing a fur trade, but any un-to-date benefits have boon shared among very few. To givoan instance: A station hand caught about seventy 'possums, and having sold them at a good price, he went in for tho business on a larger scale, and I believe his next cheque came to something like "forty of tho best." Then gradually he trapped through the bush, along the slopes of the ranges near at hand, until at last he found his quarry had grown much too scarce, and botook himself elsewhere to a nioro favoured spot. No doubt' this trapper is quite pleased with our acclimatisation methods, which provided him with such an interesting moans of making money, but it might have been better to wait a little longer; at least until there were enough 'possums "to go round."