Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka confirmed that wild cats are now included in the government program "Predator-Free 2050," calling them "cold-blooded killers."
This decision marks the first time a predator has been added to this list since its inception in 2016, when five main local predators were included: rats, stoats, weasels, ferrets, and possums.
According to the latest data, there are over 2.5 million wild cats in New Zealand. Their weight can reach 7 kilograms, and their length can be up to one meter. These animals are believed to pose a serious threat to local fauna, contributing to the extinction of rare species such as the pūkeko (a South New Zealand species of wader) on Stewart Island and bats in the Mount Ruapehu area.
The extermination of wild cats has already begun in several regions; however, earlier plans to include them in the strategy faced significant resistance from the public.
Ecologist Christine Sumner stated that authorities need to allocate funds for additional research to study the cat population and their impact on the ecosystem in order to develop more humane methods of population control.
Although domestic cats are not included in this strategy, they can also threaten biodiversity. Organizations such as SPCA and Predator Free Trust advocate for keeping cats indoors and call for legislative initiatives to regulate their ownership, including mandatory microchipping and sterilization.
It should be noted that wild cats in New Zealand descended from domestic cats brought by Europeans. Before their arrival, the islands were isolated and had no mammalian predators, which made local species particularly vulnerable.
