Animal Pests

Most introduced birds are widespread and have become well established. However, there is concern about the impact on horticultural crops posed by birds such as rooks that have not yet become established. For this reason, they have been included in the Tasman-Nelson Regional Pest Management Plan and rural landowners undertake an active surveillance campaign to spot any rooks.

At this stage, there are no known rookeries in the region. Further information on rooks and magpies can be found in the Regional Pest Management Plan.

Animals that are considered a pest to many rural landowners (e.g. pigs, deer) because of the damage they do to native vegetation may be a valuable resource to hunters. Others that may pose a risk to cattle by transmitting Bovine Tb (e.g. possums) can also provide some economic benefits to trappers in accessible areas. Most rural landowners consider animals such as goats, ferrets, stoats and weasels as pests and may trap them to protect native vegetation and native birds.

In the Nelson region, possums, feral cats, feral rabbits, hares, ferrets, stoats and weasels have not been included in the Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP). See our Controlling Pest Animal Invaders Booklet.