Mustelid Control

Mustelid Control 

There are three types of mustelids in New Zealand – ferrets, stoats and weasels. 

Scientific Names: Mustela furo, Mustela erminea, Mustela nivalis vulgaris 

Description:

Ferrets – these are the largest of the three species.  They have creamy under fur with black flecking on the ends.  The facial fur is pale with a dark mask across the eyes and nose.  They grow to about 0.5 metres long.

Stoats – this is the medium sized animal which grows to about 30 to 40 centimetres long.  Stoats have dark brown fur with a creamy underbelly.  The tail is bushy with a black tip.

Weasels – the smallest of the three mustelids.  They have brown fur with a white underbelly and a short brown tail.  Not only are they the smallest but they are the rarest to see. 

Problem: Originally introduced to New Zealand as a means of rabbit control, they have become as much of a problem as the animal they were introduced to control.  Ferrets, weasels and stoats feed on the eggs and chicks of birds.  In New Zealand, many birds like the kiwi are ground dwelling, which makes them easy targets for these predators.  Mustelid control is vitally important to protect these bird species however this is not the only problem.   They also attack native lizards and affect domestic chickens and egg production.  Mustelid control is also important as these animals are also known to vector Bovine Tuberculosis and other diseases and parasites that can affect animals and humans.