Report+about+introduced+animals+in+New+Zealand

[[image:http://www.southerncrossvelvet.com/images/reddeer_nz.jpg align="right"]]
====Red deer were deliberately introduced for sport along with other species. The first red deer to reach New Zealand in the South Island was a pair sent by Lord Petre in 1851. Unfortunately they did not get a chance to breed because one got shot. So again in 1861 Lord Petre sent another pair which this time were liberated near Nelson, where they quickly spread.====

Hedgehogs are small animals with spikes all over their bodies. Their name hedgehog come from hedges and hog because of their pig like snout.
====﻿Hedgehogs were introduced to control various insects and other garden pests. They were introduced from England between 1869 and 1900 to the South Island and then from 1900 to 1909 to the North Island. The spread of hedgehogs was much assisted by man who continued to liberate them in new localities.====

====﻿Now hedgehogs are much considered a pest. In New Zealand they cause immense damage to native species including insects, lizards, snails and ground-resting birds. Unfortunately hedgehogs have a lack of predators and are now eating many more insects than first intended. Hedgehogs have also now expanded their diet to worms, snails and the eggs of native birds.====

Pigs have short legs and are known for their big snouts. They can be quite adorable.They eat basically anything and are more often than not covered in mud!
====Pigs were first introduced to New Zealand in 1773 by Captain Cook. They were released for stranded voyagers on outlying islands so that they could have food. These pigs did not spread and were later on introduced again by the early settlers.====

Feral Cats
====﻿Cats are small cute, furry animals that people adore for their companionship. Since the introduction of the house cat in the early whaling days though, many of this species have become feral, and colonized most of mainland New Zealand and some of our islands.====



====Now feral cats have become a pest, eating several species of birds. On Stuart Island, the kakapo is threatened by feral cats. The cats are estimated to kill 25-50% of 100 kakapo, an already endangered species of bird anyway.====