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Biological control of possums – introduction

Possums are one of New Zealand's biggest pests. Currently they are controlled by poisoning and trapping, but this is expensive and ongoing. Biological control has the potential to provide novel ...

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ARTICLE

Making contraceptive vaccines for possums

Here, we explain how contraceptive vaccines for possums are made and how they work. Possums are a major pest in New Zealand, so scientists investigated the development of vaccines to make them ...

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ARTICLE

Possum vaccines and reproductive proteins

Here, we explain the function of reproductive proteins GnRH and ZP. These proteins are targets for contraceptive vaccines, investigated in New Zealand to help reduce possum numbers. Scientists in ...

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ACTIVITY

Biotechnology basics quiz

Biotechnology is part of everyday life and has been for thousands of years. People have cultured bacteria to make yoghurt and cheese, used yeasts to make bread, fermented grapes to make wine and ...

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ACTIVITY

Easy care sheep traits – three-level reading guide

Students use a three-level reading guide strategy to locate, interpret and apply the information to consider the role of research in finding easy care sheep traits. Purpose Students engage with ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Elephant ID

Did you know that elephants’ ears can be used to identify individuals living in the wild? Join this citizen science project to help recognise individual elephants by identifying their unique ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Big Butterfly Count

This New Zealand-based citizen science project collects data about butterflies in our gardens, schools, parks and farms – any location in the country or on the outer islands. This annual event – ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

FrogID

FrogID is an Australian app that uses audio of frogs’ unique calls to identify various species and their locations. We can use it in Aotearoa New Zealand to record the location of introduced ...

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TEACHER PLD

Making a case for possum biocontrol – unit plan

Students collect information from the public about methods of controlling possum numbers and then present a report on the use of biocontrol. Purpose Although the active biocontrol research ...

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TEACHER PLD

Developing a biocontrol game – unit plan

Students of any level develop a board game illustrating knowledge of New Zealand’s possum problem and the strategies used to control it – including biocontrol strategies. Purpose To demonstrate ...

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TEACHER PLD

Biocontrol in action – unit plan

Students carry out a practical investigation to help AgResearch scientists monitor the spread of Microctonus aethiopoides (a tiny wasp) and its success as a biocontrol agent for clover root ...

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Explore related videos

VIDEO

Biocontrol and the importance of species specificity

Of course it is really important that other species are not affected. This is one of the problems with using poisons, like 1080. They are often non-specific, and kill species other than possums ...

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VIDEO

Genetically modifying worms to affect possum fertility

At AgResearch, scientists are modifying a parasitic worm that infects possums. The modified worm will be able to seriously reduce the fertility of possums that it infects. Dr. Warwick Grant ...

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VIDEO

Using a hormone-toxin to control possum numbers

Dr Warwick Grant and Dr Doug Eckery are investigating the effects of a toxin (poison) on possum fertility. The toxin affects a hormone called Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH). This hormone ...

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Explore related interactives

SLIDESHOW

Weeds that threaten native ecosystems – slideshow

A slideshow of weeds and the adaptations that make them problematic in a New Zealand setting. Use the Slideshow menu for further options, including view full screen, and go here for the download ...

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INTERACTIVE

Making a transgenic cow

This interactive shows the techniques used to make transgenic animals at AgResearch in New Zealand. Molecular biology techniques such as restriction enzyme digests, ligation, tissue culture and ...

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INTERACTIVE

Confirming a cow is transgenic

This interactive shows how scientists confirm a newborn calf is a transgenic animal. View the steps AgResearch scientists use to produce a transgenic cow in this related interactive.

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