 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 . Other browsing animals , such as introduced deer , competed with the kakapo for food , and caused the extinction of some of its preferred plant species . The kakapo was reportedly still present near the head of the Whanganui River as late as 1894 , with one of the last records of a kakapo in the North Island being a single bird caught in the Kaimanawa Ranges by Te Kepa Puawheawhe in 1895 . 
 In the 1880s , large numbers of mustelids ( stoats , ferrets and weasels ) <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> released in New Zealand to reduce rabbit numbers , but they also preyed heavily on many native species including the kakapo . Other browsing animals , such as introduced deer , competed with the kakapo for food , and caused the extinction of some of its preferred plant species . The kakapo was reportedly still present near the head of the Whanganui River as late as 1894 , with one of the last records of a kakapo in the North Island being a single bird caught in the Kaimanawa Ranges by Te Kepa Puawheawhe in 1895 . 
In da 1880s , large numbers of mustelids ( stoats , ferrets and weasels ) was released in New Zealand to reduce rabbit numbers , but they also preyed heavily on many native species including tdakakapo . Other browsing animals , such as introduced deer , competed with thdaakapo for food , and caused the extinction of some of its preferred plant species . Thedakapo was reportedly still present near the head of the danganui River as late as 1894 , with one of the last records of a kakapo in the Ndah Island being a single bird caught in the Kadanawa Ranges by Te Kepa Puawheawhe in 1895 .