Bylaugh
The bushtail possum (a different animal to the American possum) was introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1837 to start a fur trade there, however the lack of any natural predators in that country caused the possum to become a severe ecological threat.
Although protected in Australia the population has escalated to some 90 million throughout New Zealand, eating an estimated 7 million tonnes of forest every year, endangering the lives and habitat of many native species.
Anti-fur protesters have endorsed the New Zealand possum fur trade seeing human intervention as the only way to stem the tide of destruction these creatures cause. Unlike most other wild animals used in the fur trade, the brushtail possum is not farmed for fur.
The fibre is very unusual, being hollow and having no “scales”. This means it is very strong and lightweight, yet warm and very soft.
As well as using whole pelts for luxurious throws, the fibre can be spun with Merino wool to create featherweight fabrics, which have been likened to cashmere in their softness, warmth and resistance to pilling.