In the 1880s, large numbers of mustelids (stoats, ferrets and weasels) were released in New Zealand to reduce rabbit numbers, but they also preyed heavily on many native species including the kakapo.
På 1880-talet släpptes stora mängder mårddjur (hermeliner, illrar och vesslor) ut i Nya Zeeland för att minska mängden kaniner, men de tog också många inhemska arter, inklusive kakapo.