Both domestic ferrets and wild European polecats were introduced
into New Zealand by the thousands to control the rabbits and rats
also introduced there. Given the mild climate, abundant prey, lack
of competition and lack of larger predators, they thrived.

Bob Church postulates based on his research, that hybridization and
natural selection has weeded out most of the domestic ferret genes,
and it's really polecats that are living in NZ now. A pure domestic
ferret would have as little chance surviving there now as anywhere
in the US. In other words, it might survive a few days at best.

It is worth noting that many of the pet ferrets in NZ (until they
were banned over a decade ago) were themselves hybrids, less often
neutered or spayed than in the US, and kept outdoors. They might
have had a better chance of survival if escaped.

Linda

[Posted in FML 8126]