MERINO POSSUM

The Most Exceptional Natural Fibres In The World

MERINO WOOL
Warm, Durable & Fast Drying

Merino Wool has unique charcteristics. Each fibre is exceptionally fine, long and densely crimped, retaining heat close to the skin and keeping out the cold. The fibre also wicks moisture away from the skin, allowing the Merino sheep to stay warm and dry. Spun Merino retains all of these qualities and is one of the most durable natural yarns.Merino Wool is known for its hypoallergenic properties.

POSSUM FUR
An Exceptional Natural Insulator

The fibres of Possum Fur are hollow, trapping warm air against the skin. The only other animal with this astonishing insulating fur is the Polar Bear, The trapped air not only retains heat efficiently but makes the fur light in weight. Blending Possum Fur with Merino Wool reduces the weight of the garment, while dramatically increasing its warmth. A beneficial enzyme in Possum Fur has been researched and is porven to improve skin conditions such as eczema.

Environmental Concerns

The Brushtail Possum was first introduced into New Zealand from Australia, where it is protected, in 1837 to establish a fur industry. By 1900 the reported damage to native flora and fauna, crops and orchards prompted the government to commission investigations by two of the country's leading botanists. It was agreed that the potential long-term effects on the environment if left unchecked would be devastating.

By the 1940’s, evidence of damage by possums to New Zealand’s forest increased. The need for action on a national scale was recognized, and in 1951 a bounty was placed on the animal, but this did little to control the increasing and expanding population of possums. In the early 1960's possums had spread to 84% of the country.

Today possums are considered the major animal pest in New Zealand with the number of possums estimated to exceed 70 million (twice the number of sheep). Possums are ravenous eaters that consume a staggering amount of native vegetation, which is in excess of 21, 000 tonnes per day.

Elm Of Burford is stongly commited to protecting the bioderversity of New Zealand and countering the adverse effects of human intervention. For further information on the control programs put in place by the New Zealand Government,
please refer to the following websites:

The New Zealand Department Of Conservation

The New Zealand Crown Research Institute - Landcare Research

The Blend Twice As Warm As Wool

The idea of blending Merino wool and possum fibres was first developed in 1992 by a New Zealand knitter. Merino Possum knitwear was developed as a by-product of the possum control program, making the Merino possum blend an environmentally sound choice. The resultant fabric is lightwieght, twice as warm as wool, highly resistant to pilling or bobbling and opulently soft to the touch. The yarns developed by Noble Wilde has Nylon added in many cases to add strength but the natural fibres are by far in the majority and the result is an extreemely high quality product.

Colour: Avoka Accessories