A SINGLE POSSUM WILL EAT
of nz forest vegetation per year
Storage is lost per possum per year
Additional carbon storage in our forest with each possum removed
We are working towards a better future
New Zealanders are very proud of our native forests and the remarkable life they support. Browsing and predation by Possums place our forests at risk. The damage caused by Possum is well known and in extreme cases can wipe out whole regions and the birdlife they support.
Removing Possums allows regeneration of our forests. ShopForGood celebrates the commercial use of Possum as a pathway to support the regeneration of our natural treasures.
Planting trees is well understood to be a way to protect and enhance the earth’s carbon sinks. Protection of existing trees by the removal of Possum is another great way to achieve these benefits.
So what’s the problem?
Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus Vulpecula) was first introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1837. They now live widespread throughout New Zealand, mainly in forests and areas surrounding farmland. With no natural predators, they occur in high densities and place great pressure on their local environment.
Leaves are the main part of their diet, but Possums are opportunistic omnivores. They eat buds, flowers, fruit/berries and nectar. This means they compete with native birds and reptiles for food sources. The growth and life-cycle of a tree is significantly affected when all parts of it are eaten.
While the main diet of Possum is vegetation, they will also eat birds and their eggs. A voracious feeder, they will consume 110kg of vegetation per year[1]. As Possums tend to target new shoots, the impact on trees is much greater and leads to the systematic destruction of forest canopies. More than a tonne of biomass can be lost each year as a result of a single Possum.
Due to the destruction Possum cause to New Zealand’s forests and their native wildlife, the Government of New Zealand has designated Possum as a pest animal. The Department of Conservation is tasked with the eradication of Possum wherever it is possible.
“The only environmental friendly fur”
[1] Department of Conservation: A Pest of Plague Proportions
Damaged
Ecosystem
Removing a median-aged Possum from its natural habitat has the potential to keep 190kg CO2e within that forest ecosystem. It will also mean that the removed Possum will not be able to contribute another 4 years of young into the population and it will not be present to predate native wildlife.
New Zealand Mamaku (Black Punga) Showing Possum browsing damage on LEFT
Pohutukawa Tree Destroyed by Possum Damage
Understand the benefits to New Zealand’s environment that result from the removal of Possum from our precious forests
Possums Used | Vegetation Protected | Carbon Retained in Forests | Kilometres Offset | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GARMENT | 1.36 | 583 kg | 258 kg CO2e | 1360 km |
ACCESSORY | 0.32 | 137 kg | 61 kg CO2e | 320 km |
Partners
Our Partners create unique products from Possum removed from our forests.
Kapeka
Kapeka Merinosilk and Mahana fibres utilise Possums fur to create regenerative and sustainable knitwear.
Kapeka tells the story of natural growth seen in rivers, trees and families. It is the interconnected shape of branches in their many forms.
Central to every Kapeka garment is a reflection of processes in nature and how these shape land and its people.
Kapeka looks to nature in its designs and fibres; it is your way to be Fashioned by Nature.
