Killer cats a real problem to native birds

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 678, 18 March 1997, Page 3

Killer cats a real problem to native birds

Cats are a real threat to many endangered species of native New Zealand animals in the Tongariro National Park, according to some Department of Conservation staff, although some can't see how a proposed ban on cats would work. Recently reported in daily newspapers was a proposal from the minister of conservation Nick Smith, that would see wild cats culled and pet cats banned near national parks. Ohakune conservation officer John Luff said there was no doubt that Ohakune Junction cats wandered into the park and preyed on native animals such as birds. He said staff would see cats crossing over from Railway Row several times each week. DoC officer Cam Speedy said cats were a genuine menace to endangered species especially ground birds such as kiwi, as well as protected lizards, rare short-tailed bats and large invertebrates including wetas. Mr Speedy said he believed much of the cat problem was attributed to people dumping unwanted cats in the forest, thinking they would be better off there. He said this was wrong on two counts, in that 90 per cent of them

died, while the remaining 10 per cent became "the hunter cats from hell", killing untold native birds and animals. This view mirrors that of Cat Protection Society member Annabel Young who said the real problem is irresponsible cat owners. Another cat advocate said if people were concerned their pet was hunting native birds, a solution was to put a bell around the cat's neck. The minister' s proposal initially focuses on villages within national parks such as Arthur's Pass and St Arnaud and makes no mention of places like Ohakune, which shares a boundary with Tongariro National Park. Ministry media secretary Veronica Lysaght said the proposed pet cat ban would probably only apply to new subdivisions and not existing residential areas. She could not say how close to a national park a subdivision would have to be to fall under the ban. The cat ban call came after the minister launched a scheme to trap and poison feral cats in the South Island, and admitted that some domestic cats which wandered into the parks might accidentally be killed. Mr Smith said it was a special privilege for people to live next door to a national park, and there were responsibilities.

"I do not think it is too big an ask that people living in these few communities refrain from having a moggie in the interests of conserving our natural heritage."

Children from Ohakune Primary School parade down town with their decorated bikes, as part of their "Celebration of Primary Schools" week. They assembled in the Bakery Building carpark to perform a range of items for the audience of shoppers and parents. The wheels and technology theme of the day was also linked to the weekend's Carnival of Wheels, with some of the pupils entering their bikes in the decorated bikes competition and slow bike racing.