Year 8 Biology 4.3

where is new zealand located and how long have it been separated from other land of the world

pacific ocean and became separated from all the other areas of land in the world for 66 million years ago

where does native species of bird nest before humans and explain why

they nest on the ground since there is no predator to eat it their eggs so young bird and eggs were safe

when the humans brought other animals such as the rats what happened?

rats stowed away on their boats. they eat bird’s eggs and defenceless young birds

why do farmers brought sheep

to farm for their wool and meat

why were rabbits brought on sailing ship

to use as food but rabbits escape to eat grass in sheep pastures

how do the human control the rabbits

people brought stoats from Europe to control rabbits

what happened to the stoats

they spread all over new zealand

what are stoats

fierce hunters and breed rapidly and kill and eat birds much larger than themself

what did the stoats do to several of native bird

they have made them extinct such as laught owl and new zealand thrush

how much percent does the stoats kill kiwi chicks

60%

how do the people try to eradicate stoats

it’s very difficult to do so the best they do is control their numbers

how many species of native bird were extinct when humans arrived

53 species of native bird

how was the extinction of some native bird caused by humans

mostly introduced invasive species, partly caused by people hunting and killing the birds