In 1885, New Zealand released European hedgehogs as garden pest killers; 140 years later, DOC calls them a major threat to native wildlife and one can empty an endangered tern colony of nesting birds
- European hedgehog (Image Credit: Canva)What was once seen as a useful garden helper in New Zealand has become an unexpected threat to some of the country's most vulnerable wildlife.
- European hedgehogs were deliberately introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century, with acclimatisation societies releasing them in the hope that they would help control garden pests.
- In 1885, hedgehogs were liberated in Dunedin and Christchurch for this purpose, according to Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
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- European hedgehog (Image Credit: Canva)What was once seen as a useful garden helper in New Zealand has become an unexpected threat to some of the country's most vulnerable wildlife.
- European hedgehogs were deliberately introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century, with acclimatisation societies releasing them in the hope that they would help control garden pests.
- In 1885, hedgehogs were liberated in Dunedin and Christchurch for this purpose, according to Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
Sources: Times of India