With more than 50,000 distinct native species, New Zealand has a rich and distinctive biodiversity. These range from the tall and ancient kauri tree to the giant prickly stick insect. These creatures are genuinely unique because of the country's seclusion for millions of years, which allowed them to evolve without many natural predators. Sadly, a large number of these wonderful species are currently in grave danger of being extinct. The existence of around 15,000 distinct invasive pests that have been brought to New Zealand over time is mostly to blame for this.
The introduction of different pests is closely associated with the decrease of native species. These include terrestrial animals that seriously damage the natural ecosystems, like possums, stoats, rats, rabbits, deer, and wasps. These intruders devastate native species' habitats, compete with them for food, and frequently feed on them directly. However, the danger doesn't end on shore. The country's fragile ecological balance is seriously threatened by several invasive species found in New Zealand's woods and waterways, including deadly diseases, aggressive plants, and dangerous fish.
Fortunately, attempts to address the pest issue are still underway. Invasive species are being reduced through government initiatives such as Predator Free 2050, community pest-control programmes, and conservation projects. Public education, habitat restoration, poisoning, and trapping are all part of these initiatives. But even with all of the advancements, more is still needed. It is extremely difficult to completely safeguard the nation's native animals due to the enormous number and variety of pests.
For more information, you could look at the Department of Conservation website or the MPI website
