The Brushtail Possum: Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial

The brushtail possum “Trichorus vulpecula” is arguably the most intensively studied wild animal in New Zealand today. After many years of research, the latest information on possums is now available in a comprehensive, fully indexed volume. This book is a useful resource that draws together accumulated knowledge on an introduced species which once promised New Zealand a fur trade, but now costs a fortune to manage. The 41 authors of “The Brushtail Possum” provide an expert overview, in the form of 25 stand-alone chapters, of past and present possum research. They identify crucial areas where further research is needed and the future options for managing brushtail possums in New Zealand. The difficulties and complexities of managing this invasive species are enormous, but this work represents a significant step.