Predator Free 2050: Ambitious target gains widespread supportSUPPLIED 35 million possums in New Zealand are in the crosshairsIt's a truly audacious plan - ridding the country of rats, stoats and possums - but proponents hope the reward will be a chorus of songbirds. The government predator free target by 2050 could extend those varied and isolated places to a million hectares of mainland forest. The aim, Kermode said, is to rid the headland of rats, stoats and possums, isolate the area with a non-fenced boundary and defend it against pest reintroduction. Stoats, rats and possums are targeted in the government's Predator Free 2050 strategy. An estimated 35 million possums live in New Zealand and eradicating them would sign the death warrant for the $130 million possum fur trade.

Source: Stuff October 21, 2016 23:37 UTC