Diet of feral ferrets (Mustela furo) from pastoral habitats in Otago and Southland, New Zealand

摘要: Abstract In New Zealand, the ferret (Mustela furo) preys upon, and therefore could be threatening, some endemic species may involved in transmission of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) to domestic stock. The diet was studied from prey remains digestive tracts 277 live‐trapped animals Otago Southland. Lagomorphs constituted 77% by weight were identified 65% ferrets sampled. Other important items hedgehogs (Erinaceus europeus), possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), birds. There no statistically significant differences diets male female except a general trend for females eat smaller items. As lagomorphs are such prey, rabbit control operations result short‐term increased predation on species; and/or consumption that serve as source infection Tb (i.e., possibly hedgehogs); long‐term decline density ferrets.