New Zealand’s Himalayan tahr grew from five survivors to tens of thousands

Himalayan tahr were introduced to New Zealand’s South Island by British aristocrats in pursuit of sport hunting back in 1904. Quickly multiplying, these creatures turned into an invasive species, wreaking havoc on native alpine ecosystems. Control measures, including government-led aerial shooting, have not proven entirely effective, creating a challenging situation for conservationists and hunters alike. The management of tahr remains an ongoing struggle within New Zealand’s wildlife strategy.