New Zealand's unusual plants and
animals cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. Coastal
animals are whales, sea lions and sea cats. Along with
humans, accompanying mammals such as the Polynesian rat
and the dog come here. With the advent of the first
European settlers came pigs, cattle, mice and cats. The
appearance of some of the species alien to the islands is
extremely negative for the local flora and fauna.
Such harmful
animals are rats, cats, weasels, rabbits, ermines, possums
and others. Here, these animals have no natural enemies,
and as a result, their population is growing
significantly, reaching threatening proportions for
humans, agriculture, and especially native species. Of the
fauna of the islands are the most common birds. Such are
kiwi, nestor parrot, kakapo and others. Freshwater bodies
are inhabited by 29 species of fish, 8 of which are
endangered.