When the last possum dies

When the last possum dies: complete eradication possible, says scientist

A New Zealand where native wildlife live without fear of predators is the vision of one of the country’s foremost conservation scientists who was awarded the Marsden Medal for 2014 at a ceremony in Wellington.

Professor Mick Clout from the University of Auckland was jointly awarded the Medal for his contribution to conservation biology and a lifetime’s work dedicated to studying the ecology of mammals and birds, including critically endangered species such as kakapo.

The award recognises outstanding achievement in science over the course of a distinguished career and is conferred by the New Zealand Association of Scientists.

After decades working in pest eradication science, Professor Mick Clout believes every last predator in New Zealand could be wiped out: a vision first suggested by the late Sir Paul Callaghan.

However, the whole country would need to get behind the project. Professor Clout suggests we could start with completely eradicating possums, a pest species which he has studied for many years.

“It would be a huge challenge but I honestly believe it could be done, it is feasible.”

While offshore havens had ensured the survival of our rarest birds, which might otherwise have been lost forever, people always cared more about things they could see and touch, he said.

“Our threatened species cannot only be tucked away in sanctuaries that are remote and inaccessible. We have to bring wildlife and people together, with conservation happening in everyone’s backyard.”

Professor Clout was a pioneer of the concept of creating pest-free sanctuaries for endangered species through intensive pest eradication and his work in this area is still used by conservation groups and organisations today. He has also been a strong advocate for biosecurity and conservation in general.

Professor Clout has published widely, including a book on invasive species, and chaired the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group up until 2009. The group works globally to help protect the world’s biodiversity from invasive species.

He is a member of the University of Cambridge’s Conservation Initiative which publishes a “horizon scan” of global conservation issues each year. Issues profiled this year include resurrection of extinct species, genetic control of invasive species and increasing the scale of pest eradications.

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