Pest Detective is an online tool to help people in New Zealand identify the presence of vertebrate pest animals.
Pest animals are often nocturnal and hard to spot. They leave tell-tale clues that tell us they are in the area.
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
Pig hooves are cloven into two bilaterally symmetrical halves (toes) like deer, but they are rounder and fatter looking, and 50–80 mm in length and 40–50 mm wide. The dew claws are not directly behind the hoof, as they are with deer, but are behind and to the side. > more about feral pigs
Using Pest Detective in Field
Pest Detective can be used on mobile devices – no special app is required.
It is not available offline although this is something we would investigate if there is enough demand. If you are out of internet range you can save content in PDF form to your mobile device or, of course, print onto paper > read more
Culprit corner
Of the three rat species in New Zealand, kiore is the smallest and the first to arrive, around 1280 A.D. They spread widely, with significant impact on native fauna. After other rodent species were introduced, the kiore population declined. They are now found only in the southwest South Island and several offshore islands. > see more
Junior Pest Detectives
Goats cause a lot of damage to vegetation, especially in the understorey of native forests. They will eat leaves, twigs and bark - even munching on prickly plants and standing on their hind legs to reach as high as possible. Can you think of any other pest animals that damage plants? > find the culprits here
Latest from 'On the case' pest detection news
Updated pest culprits poster
20 September 2019
For this year's Conservation Week we've updated our culprits poster to show the 30 pest animal species featured on Pest Detective.
Download the poster from our kids' activities page. It has been sized for A2 printing but can alternatively be printed to fit smaller A3 or A4 paper.
Why are these animals pests?
All the pest animals featured on Pest Detective have been introduced to New Zealand either by accident or intentionally for various reasons.