Stoats were first introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century to combat the rapid proliferation of rabbits, another introduced species.
Unable to control the rabbit population, the stoat (aka weasel or ermine) is nonetheless doing a bang-up job killing off young kiwi chicks.
The population of Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii) has dropped to 1,200 birds, and the Rowi or Okarito Brown Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) is down to just 300 individuals.
Another introduced species helping push the Kiwi over the edge is the Brush-tailed Possum, introduced from Australia.
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