Big Increase In Hedgehog Numbers In Whakatane District

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 30, 26 August 1949, Page 4

Big Increase In Hedgehog Numbers In Whakatane District

During the past month a local woman has collected approximately £l6 in government bonus on hedgehog snouts at 1/- per snout. A further 190 snouts have been handed in by the same woman yesterday.

This gives some idea of the tremendous increase in the number of hedgehogs in the Whakatane district}

The woman was attracted in the first place by a pheasant’s nest containing several eggs. On a subsequent visit she found the eggs eaten and a large hedgehog asleep in the nest. She commenced a campaign against' hedgehogs and in no time found it was a useful and profitable occupation. This bonus of 1/- per snout should receive the attention of the numerous youth movements which are invariably short of funds. The small boy is an adept naturalist-hunter and at tracking down pests of this nature. He can supplement the funds of the Scouts, Boys’ Brigade or whatever organisation he favours and at the same time help considerably in protecting our native and game birds from one of their most formidable ground enemies, says a statement from the Whakatane County Rod and Cun Club.

It is understood that Mr K. E. Francis, Government Ranger will issue payment \ouchers on the Post Office for any numb-r of these snouts delivered to him. It is necessary only to present the tip of the snout—about half an inch in length.