The impact of invasive species on New Zealand's unique ecosystem is explored through a historical lens, detailing how the arrival of humans and their companion animals disrupted the island's isolated fauna. By the mid-thirteenth century, New Zealand was the last major landmass free of mammals, leading to the evolution of distinctive birds, lizards, and insects. The introduction of rats, cats, stoats, and ferrets has caused significant ecological damage. Carolyn M. King combines historical analysis with ecological research to shed light on this ongoing national crisis.
