Ferrets are the largest member of the mustelid family, which also includes stoats and weasels.
They were first introduced to NZ from Europe in the 1880s to control rabbits, but proved unsuccessful. Today, more and more people are choosing to keep ferrets as pets. However, ferrets are primarily responsible for the collapse of species like the kakapo, weka, blue duck, kiwi and black stilt. Submissions close on 31 December 1999.