New Zealand plans to eradicate feral cats by 2050
New Zealand has announced plans to eradicate feral cats by 2050, as part of efforts to protect the country’s biodiversity, reports BritPanorama.
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka stated that feral cats are “stone cold killers” and will be added to the country’s Predator Free 2050 list, which targets animals that negatively impact native species such as birds, bats, lizards, and insects.
Previously, feral cats were excluded from this list, which also includes stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats, and possums. Potaka’s remarks mark a notable policy shift. He defines a feral cat as a wild animal that lives independently of humans, emphasizing their role in endangering native wildlife.
The government is considering a range of strategies to eradicate the cats, including poisoned sausage bait and a poison spray that could be deployed from a device installed in trees. “In order to boost biodiversity, to boost heritage landscape and to boost the type of place we want to see, we’ve got to get rid of some of these killers,” he added.
Further details of the plan were included in a statement issued by Potaka, who highlighted that citizens desire natural environments rich with birdlife rather than dominated by predators. “We know people want their local reserves, beaches and bush tracks to be full of birds, not predators,” he noted.
Potaka elaborated that feral cats have proliferated throughout New Zealand, creating significant pressure on native species. He cited a recent incident where over 100 short-tailed bats were killed in a single week due to feral cats while also noting their adverse effects on the endangered southern dotterel.
He also pointed to the health risks associated with feral cats, stating, “They also spread toxoplasmosis, which harms dolphins, affects people, and costs farmers through lost stock.” Public consultation revealed that over 90% of nearly 3,400 submissions supported enhancing management of feral cats.
Jessi Morgan, chief executive of the Predator Free New Zealand Trust, commended the government’s decision in a local media opinion piece, reiterating that the response from the recent public consultation was clear: feral cats belong on the target list.
Officials are set to provide more comprehensive updates as the modified Predator Free 2050 Strategy is scheduled for release in March.
The government has also acknowledged concerns regarding the potential impact on pet cats. Potaka reassured the public, stating, “New Zealand is full of proud cat owners, and domestic pets are not part of this Predator Free target.” He emphasized the importance of responsible ownership, including desexing, microchipping, and preventing domestic cats from accessing wildlife.
As New Zealand sharpens its focus on biodiversity, the implications of this strategy resonate beyond its borders, reflecting ongoing global discussions surrounding invasive species and environmental conservation.
