'Stone-cold killers': New Zealand to eradicate feral cats by 2050
11 hours ago
- #wildlife conservation
- #feral cats
- #New Zealand
- New Zealand plans to eradicate feral cats by 2050 as part of its Predator-Free 2050 strategy.
- Feral cats, already targeted in some areas, will now face coordinated eradication efforts and research.
- Over 2.5 million feral cats in New Zealand threaten native wildlife, including birds and bats.
- The inclusion of feral cats follows years of debate and public opposition.
- Domestic cats, though not part of the strategy, are also a threat to biodiversity.
- Animal rights groups advocate for humane control methods and better management of domestic cats.
- Calls for national cat management legislation include mandatory microchipping and desexing of domestic cats.