Did you know? One ferret can wipe out an entire kiwi neighbourhood

Ferrets are one of the least visible yet most destructive predators affecting kiwi populations in Aotearoa.

Ferrets have been in New Zealand for over 150 years

Introduced in the 1800s to control rabbits, ferrets became a self‑sustaining invasive predator with severe impacts on native wildlife.

Ferrets are big enough to kill adult kiwi

Unlike stoats, ferrets can take mature breeding birds - meaning one ferret can cause major population collapse in a short time.

Zero is the goal

To protect kiwi, conservation projects aim for near‑zero ferret density. Even one animal in a managed area can undo years of work.

Ferrets rely mainly on scent,

ot sight

They are efficient ground trackers, following scent trails along ridges, waterways, and tracks often using the same routes repeatedly.

When food

isappears, ferrets prey‑switch

If rabbits decline suddenly, ferrets can switch to native species like kiwi and become highly focused hunters until removed.

Have kiwi in your area that you want to help protect?

View Ferret Traps

This guide draws on advice from John Bissell and the Save the Kiwi National Standard Operating Procedures for Ferret Control and Ferret Trapper’s Guidelines. Read these guides for more details on targeting ferrets.

Photo credit: John Bissell