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Palgrave Macmillan

Invasive Predators in New Zealand

Disaster on Four Small Paws

  • Book
  • © 2019

Overview

Authors:
  1. Carolyn M. King

    1. Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

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  • Examines the history of New Zealand’s invasion by small mammalian predators, especially rats, cats, stoats and ferrets
  • Offers insight into the historical roots of New Zealand’s most pressing contemporary conservation issues
  • Appeals to scholars, pest control authorities, community conservation groups and readers interested in environmental history, ecology and conservation policy

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in World Environmental History (PSWEH)

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxxiv
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  2. The Years Before Cook

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. Introduction (82 Million Years Ago to AD 1280)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 3-20

    3. The Māori Era (1280–1769)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 21-43

  3. The Years of Accidental Invasions

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 45-45
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    2. Reconstructing Invasion Histories from European Shipping Records (1769–1900) and Genetics (Since 2000)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 47-69

    3. European Rats (Since 1769)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 71-101

    4. House Mice (Since About 1792)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 103-125

    5. Cats (1769–1900)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 127-142

  4. The Years of Deliberate Introductions

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 143-143
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    2. Rabbits (1860–1900)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 145-166

    3. Ferrets (1852–1892)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 167-192

    4. Stoats and Weasels (1876–1883)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 193-213

    5. Stoats and Weasels (1883–1892)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 215-248

    6. Lucky Escapes and Nasty Surprises (1884–1920)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 249-274

  5. What Now?

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 275-275
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    2. Hard Lessons in Pest Management (1976–2019)

      • Carolyn M. King
      Pages 277-323

  6. Back Matter

    Pages 325-343
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Keywords

About this book

The story of invasive species in New Zealand is unlike any other in the world. By the mid-thirteenth century, the main islands of the country were the last large landmasses on Earth to remain uninhabited by humans, or any other land mammals. New Zealand’s endemic fauna evolved in isolation until first Polynesians, and then Europeans, arrived with a host of companion animals such as rats and cats in tow. Well-equipped with teeth and claws, these small furry mammals, along with the later arrival of stoats and ferrets, have devastated the fragile populations of unique birds, lizards and insects. Carolyn M. King brings together the necessary historical analysis and recent ecological research to understand this long, slow tragedy. As a comprehensive historical perspective on the fate of an iconic endemic fauna, this book offers much-needed insight into one of New Zealand’s longest-running national crises. 

Reviews

“Her new book is considerably more than an update, but the update alone would make it a valuable contribution. … The summary of much molecular genetic research assembled in one book would alone make Invasive Predators a fascinating read, with studies elucidating many aspects of virtually every invasion. … Invasive Predators in New Zealand is an interesting book for any invasion biologist, even those with substantial knowledge of the topic.” (Daniel Simberloff, Biological Invasions, Vol. 23, 2021)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

    Carolyn M. King

About the author

Carolyn M. King is an international authority on the biology of mustelids and rodents. Her research experience ranges from native weasels at Oxford to introduced stoats, rats and mice in New Zealand, where official management of invasive predators has long been informed by her books, papers and university teaching.  

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