OPOSSUMS AND KIWIS BUSH TRAGEDIES IN OUTBACK WESTLANE

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26515, 1 September 1951, Page 6

OPOSSUMS AND KIWIS BUSH TRAGEDIES IN OUTBACK WESTLANE

(Specially Written for "The Press")

[By

E. L. KEHOE

Most people are conscious that al SJn * High’ Prices f for skins have always caused P increased activity in trapping In recent times the range oi prices has been high; and a government bounty is offered to encourage the destruction of opossums Very 1 g numbers have been and are Being taken’ this is all to the good; but the number of these vermin is so vast, and their incidence is so widespread as to be almost incredible, . w . hel ] is considered they were here in small numbers, under strict protection, only 40 years ago. P Opossums are the very worst of all foreign foes in our bush. They are strict vegetarians, as far as we know, though they may sometimes eat a few fresh eggs. Opossums take a higher toll of our native tree U fe tha " any of the browsing animals— goats, deer, e<c. The roof of the forest is the opossums’ living room, and dining room. Year in and year out, they feed on the sweet leaf buds and flower buds of forest trees; they have a strong preference for lata one of the finest trees of our mountain forest West Coasters are justifiably proud of their rates; we love the crimson, red, scarlet, and carmine flowers that glorify the flanks and spurs of the ranges—the Hohonu Range, the Paparoas and their outliers along the coast, and inland up the river valleys. Alas, much of this mountain rata, which, from a distance, •still looks so fresh and so fair; is actually entering on the last lap of a losing race for life against deer, goats, and opossums. The nutty calyx of the rate flower has a special appeal for opossums. Now on, or rather in, the calyx, the rata seed is ripened and developed' it is a simple fact to say that once this part of the rata flower is destroyed, its use as a seed carrier and distributor is over. Where then is the future forest, the young rata to come from? The ratas whose scarlet sashes and shawls sweep across the crests and ridges of our hills are now feeling the need for reinforcements. These reinforcements can only come from young trees, seedlings, and fresh seeds. If reserve forces are not ready to bring support, the death of the veterans means the end of the rata forest. We cannot have it both ways. Though the final and absolute extinction of the mountain rata may be delayed, it cannot withstand forever the continued onslaughts of its relentless foes, vermin and fire.

Danger to Bird Life Naturally, the destruction of the bush spells destruction for our native bird life, too; for the forest is the bird’s home and food supply. The reverse is true also. Bush, frees and shrubs depend to a very great extent on birds for their distribution and planting. Mrs Perrine Moncrieff, one of New Zealand’s foremost naturalists, says, “Ours, more than any other country in the world, is dependant on birds for propagation of the forest plants. It has been found that the seeds of 65 per cent, of the forest plants and trees, including every timber tree (except the kauri and the beeches) were dispersed solely by birds. Without the presence of the birds, the bush would be non-existent. Moreover, birds are our chief allies against insects.” So a study of our birds is not only sentiment or affection —it is a serious study of great scientific .value. It is quite easy, then, to understand that people who desire to conserve bush life and bird life, and promote the natural regeneration of the forest will favour the elimination of the opossum. Natural regeneration is surprisingly quick, if opossum, deer, goats, wild cattle .and fire can be excluded. Contrary to widely held uninformed opinion, natural regeneration for future New Zealand forests is quite a feasible proposition, more especially perhaps in regard to the beech family, brown beech; silver beech, mountain beech and clinker. All species of the native trees, however, will regenerate if given an even break, that means reasonable protection from fire and vermin. Lovers of wild life, as well as silvicultural scientists, agree that the opossum is an enemy of the forest, and should go. But, there is a curious twist or turn of fate here, which endangers the safety of that unique forest bird, the kiwi. I shall try now to explain. Ever since opossum trapping became widespread, the opossum trap has caused the death of many kiwis. The trapper is not to be blamed. The trapper sets his traps where, in his wisdom and experience, he expects the opossum to walk. It

is just bad luck that sometime. kiwi walks there, too. ” “J There used to be some snarln* opossums. Possibly snaring is a i w troublesome method than trapping 22 it is quite a successful method kiwi, so far as I know, was ever tat 6 in a snare. The kiwi was able to through the snares unharmed, wh-i an opossum, owing to its bulk a „* jhape, was held fast. Nowaday* steel trap is in common use- and < course it is very efficient. But her»u where the tragedy occurs-tC opossum trap is a deadly danger tn tk kiwi. A rise in the.price of skin*, an* consequent increased activity t! opossum trapping, nearly aiwav! brings about the maiming, the wound ing or the death of some Kiwis. 'RS? are tracts of West Coast bush counfr. in which there has been a hidtU kiwi population, perhaps for centuriS unknown and unharmed, safe an* secure and secret. But when sunk tracts were invaded by opossums tia trapper naturally followed, and kiwj became frequent victims. Home of the Kiwis Many years ago, I first becam. interested in the West Coast kiwi he still in existence? Where could 2 be seen or heard? The general opinlm was that the kiwi, if not artmn. extinct, was on his way out. I the kiwi many times, always at nigh? Occasionally, I caught a glimpse what I thought mignt be a kiwi bS was possibly a Maori hen. The Bn* kiwi 1 actually saw (that is, outside > museum) was a trapped bird—« large bird it was, stone dead * Southern kiwi. I have old friends i» the Rough river valley—Rough river comes into the Grey at Ikamata* Those friends are of a family which has been settled there since before th* arrival of the gold-diggers. They knew the kiwi; they knew of at least two species, and perhaps a third. The* knew well the call of the kiwi, whicn they frequently heard; but the bird was only very occasionally seen. Whe* opossum traps were laid along th* forest tracks of the Rough rivet valley kiwis were taken, either dead or disabled. Much of the forest then has now been milled, but sufficient cover is still available for any exbtini kiwis. To me, however, it looks is if the opossum trap will put the fins] seal on the kiwi s doom. Maori hen* also, are sometimes taken in traps. OnJ of these had its bill chopped off short Thus deprived, the poor creature wq unable to feed in the ordinary wiy It made friends with the mill hani and bushmen who fed it regularly until its final disappearance. Here then, is the tragic paradox, h some districts, where the kiwi M been living on as in ancient days, tta trapper produced a dead kiwi to prow the family had been still ertSf though hidden. But the kiwi w always known, even to the old-tii Maoris, as the hidden bird— a bird the night and deep gloom of the but Men engaged in opossum trapping si doing good work; they keep m check on the spread of opossums. Ibt are nearly all kindly disposed to fl kiwi; they do their best with the patients, but there it is. We see what a vicious compHeitloa now exists. In bringing about ft* destruction of opossums, the most notable attribute to the wild lite of Westland, is also destroyed. IM kiwi has marched * down the bqfi corridors of time unmolested and M disturbed; at long last he walk» a trap set for opossums. On w credit side of trapping, there ij 'M fact that stoats, weasels, cats and r«S are sometimes trapped also. Quite recently, trappers operating in c*ttain West Coast areas have founi trapped kiwis dead or wounded, These birds had dwelt in the forest gloom down the years, unknom, until finally trapped. That is whst 1 call the tragic paradox. The recently trapped kiwis that J have seen (two minus a leg) seem is be of the species known as little grtj kiwi—l think the early gold digged gave them that name. ThedigfM knew them and they also knew tte kakapo, that large green ground parrot, now. alas, no more. Th» scientific name of the little grey kM is Apteryx Oweni; grey is the gwmjl colour scheme, with what look Iftl faint whitish' yellow bands. The MB lis straight, or almost straight,’and fig neck is long and sinuous. I support the average length of the bill II nearly three inches. There is no siga of wings, but on each ihoplder is • small, clawlike boney affair— yw don’t, see this in a casual glancq though you may feel it—and the kiw feathers have almost the appearance of fur. At the back of the head thtfj is quite a crop of long hairs. bird has strong claws, and the MP and joints are sturdy. . -irr lW