TRAMPLED DOWN

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1929, Page 2

TRAMPLED DOWN

GLORIOUS BUSH THREATENED. ])KER WREAK DESTRUCTION. NATURALIST’S INDICTMENT. “ Tt is, I fear, only a matter of time when the lovely primitive forest of Stewart Island will he completely destroyed if steps are not taken to get rid of the deer.” This was one of the clauses in adamning indictment of the depredations of deer, contained in an arresting paper read before the Science Congress by Mr D. L. Poppehvell, of Gore, a well-known naturalist. His subject was “ Some Ecological Effects of Acclimatisation in New Zealand.” Oddly enough although some 52S species of foreign plants had been introduced into New Zealand, it was stated on the authority of Dr Cockayne that “ no truly primitive plant formation is desecrated by a single foreign invader.” But, said Mr Poppelwell. when animals came in, the story was different For various reasons, but chiefly for sporting purposes, there had. been introduced into New Zealand red dcei, fallow deer, moose, wapiti, A irginia deer and axis deer. Everyone who visited a forest where deer were plentiful could not tail to ses how the undergrowth was being destroyed b> them. Open tracks were soon tramp, ed out by the deer, and the undeishruhs of our rain forest were disappearing.

When lie visited wlmt was once magnificent primitive bush on Stewart Island he was astonished to find the undergrowth had been competely destroyed over large areas. Ihe rain forests of New Zealand were very susceptible to injury from desecrating winds, and as these found a free passage through the tracks tramped by the deer, it was only a question of time when the bush would disappear altogether, unless something were done to eradicate the deer. About t\vothirds of Stewart Island was reserved for the preservation of flora and fauna, and the irony of the position was that the very purpose of the reservation was being defeated by the introduction to the island of foreign animals. Much damage had already been done, and if further injury was to be avoided it seemed to Mr Poppelwell that active steps should be taken to destroy those animals which, though affording s'ome interest to sportsmen, were gradually depriving the Dominion of its unique natural characteristics. Steps should he taken to destroy the animals introduced for sport only. Then a stricter regulation of the introduction of foreign animals and biids was necessary. Surely a body could be set up capable of studying the habits of birds and animals it was proposed to introduce, and deciding whether it would be safe to bring them into the Dominion. In addition to deer, Mr Poppelwell dealt with plants, fish, and birds, but his most vehement protest was directed against the deer. He pointed out that whatever else was done, the national parks, the very places set apart as reservations for the preservation of New Zealand’s unique and glorious forests, should he kept inviolate from the depredations of the deer. New Zealand would have to decide whether it would keep deer for the sake of a few sportsmen, or whether it would preserve its magnificent forests.”