Possum - in New Zealand

In New Zealand

The common brushtail possum was introduced to New Zealand by European settlers in an attempt to establish a fur industry. There are no native predators of the possum in New Zealand, so its numbers in New Zealand have risen to the point where it is considered a serious pest. There have been numerous attempts to eradicate them because of the damage they do to native trees and wildlife, as well as acting as a carrier of bovine tuberculosis. By 2009 these measure had reduced the possum numbers to less than half of the 1980s levels - from around 70 million to around 30 million animals.

Since 1996, possum fur, obtained from about 2 million wild-caught possums per year, has been used in clothing with blends of fine merino wool with brushtailed possum fur - variously known as Ecopossum, Merinomink, possumdown, eco fur or possum wool. Possum fur is also used for fur trim, jackets, bed throws, and possum leather gloves.