WAIKAREMOANA IN PERIL.

Forest and Bird, Issue 36, 1 May 1935, Page 9

WAIKAREMOANA IN PERIL.

Native forest, trailing its evergreen skirt on the edge of starshaped Lake Waikaremoana, is in peril. Here is a paradise for the botanist and the nature-lover, but it is threatened by destructive deer. Indeed the matter to-day is worse than a threat, for the alien animals are taking toll of young growth —doing much mischief to the forest floor. The Tourist Department, with the responsibility of conserving Waikaremoana as a priceless tourist resort, should be up in arms against the deer —but is it taking any action ? Alas, the Department is suspected of having a wish to conserve the deer rather than the beautiful forest.

Opossums are another nuisance in that delightful woodland. They are blamed for some of the damage done to plant life and also for hindering the welfare of birds. Moreover, the traps set for the animals bring death to many kiwis. This mischief has been reported repeatedly by eye-witnesses, but it goes on, year after year. Every year, too, many kiwis are killed or maimed in traps set for opossums in forests on the West Coast of the South Island. The sad figures are facts—not flights of fancy. The Forest and Bird Protection Society has long been pressing for a checking of this evil, and is now confident that an improved trap will be adopted.