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It's an animal which is both loved and loathed - depending on which side of the Tasman you live on.
After a five year long study, an international group of researchers led by the University of Otago, has mapped the entire genetic code of the brushtail possum. They say it could help with both predator control here in Aotearoa and conservation programmes in Australia, where possums are a native, nationally protected species.
The secret it seems lies in the smell of its urine. Jesse talks to Study lead - Associate Professor Tim Hore, of Otago's Department of Anatomy.
We are still a long way from being able to develop gene drives for possums - but it will happen. Photo: CC BY 2.0 G= / Flickr]