What do we mean by 'pest animal?'

The animals featured in Pest Detective have all been introduced to New Zealand either by accident or intentionally. They are regarded as pests because they threaten the health of our native ecosystems and/or primary production sector, though special management is required where people value a species for such things as hunting, agriculture or as pets  > read more

Why are the Culprits not in alphabetical order?

The species on the culprits page are generally grouped with other species that have similar field sign. Grouping them together makes it easier to compare clues, especially the images in the Clues section. Each group of more closely related species (e.g. mustelids) are arranged by size from small to large. See more >

Clue corner

If you have found kill sign (animal or egg remains) remember that the remains might have been scavenged by another predator after the initial kill - and not necessarily by the same species. Remember, too, that there are three native predators that also hunt and scavenge.  
> See more about scavenging

How to access in the field?

Pest Detective can be used on mobile devices – no special app is required. 

Where internet coverage is likely to be doubtful, you can download and save or print chosen pages from Pest Detective as PDFs to take with you > read how 

Culprit corner

In New Zealand, wapiti occur only in Fiordland – the only free-range wapiti herd in the Southern Hemisphere. The herd is managed jointly by the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation and DOC, with selective culling to improve quality for recreational hunters and to keep environmental impacts to acceptable levels.

> See more about wapiti

Junior Pest Detectives

Rooks are pests because they ruin crops and prey on native animals. They like to gather in large groups and build 'rookeries' of many big, untidy nests in large trees. Can you guess why their flocks are sometimes called 'a clamour of rooks'?

> Find out about rooks