Facts about pets
Dog named "Craka"
New Zealand's unique species
New Zealand's isolation from the rest of the world has allowed special adaptations of its plants and wildlife. Extensive forests, clear rivers and lakes, food-rich wetlands and unpolluted seas once provided habitats for about 250 bird species, many of them unique to New Zealand. Without predators many became flightless or ground-dwelling - no match for the mammals which were soon introduced.
Predators
The first such predators were the kiore (Polynesian rat) and kuri (dog). Kiore rapidly became widespread and as agile climbers, readily plundered eggs and small birds. European explorers brought stowaway Norway and ship rats which caused a significant reduction in ground-nesting land and sea birds, along with land snails and large insects. The remaining array of animal predators arrived with human colonisation, either for company or as game. Rabbits fell into the latter category while mustelids in turn were brought to New Zealand as a poorly planned "biological control" for rabbits.
Effect on biodiversity
The combined effect dealt a stunning blow not only to individual species but to New Zealand's overall diversity. Some species became limited to islands, others became extinct. This is particularly tragic when such species contributed to the distinctive character of New Zealand - and cannot be replaced. Destruction of our bird life is now so comprehensive that world-renowned ornithologist Professor Jared Diamond once declared New Zealand no longer has a bird fauna - just the wreckage of one.
While other human activity contributed to the demise of these species, there is no doubt that hundreds of animals we now regard as pets played - and continue to play - a significant role.