Poor Pesky Possums

The dying possum...

As I trekked along the Ruakuri Bushwalk I noticed warning signs indicating there were poisonous pellets all over the park. Apparently rats and possums which were introduced to New Zealand have become a huge problem because they stunt forest growth. The sign didn’t even phase me until  I was sitting by the stream listening to the waterfall when I was startled by some movement. I turned around and there beside me was a possum in the middle of the day. It was so cute unlike American possums. It appeared a  little startled but it didn’t run away. In fact it stared at me for a good two minutes so I had a chance to take a picture before it wobbled off  to the nearest bush. I thought it was strange seeing one in the middle of the day but then I realized that it was sick and dying. I couldn’t help but burst into tears because there was nothing I could do to end the poor possums suffering. Tears continued to stream down my face as I wondered what it would feel like to be considered a pest and exterminated.