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The growing threat of feral cats

30 June 2022 by Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Feral cats are becoming a big problem in many parts of the country. But the ‘cat conversation’ can be contentious. Save the Kiwi National Predator Control Advisor John Bissell discusses why feral cats are becoming more of a threat, and why this observation isn’t an attack on domestic cats.

Feral cat out at night in our territory and, above, another one spotted in broad daylight

He says: ‘Feral cat numbers in the landscape have boomed in recent years. I know of projects that are removing them in the hundreds each year, when they used to remove them in the tens.

‘Why is this? Quite simply, it’s because of food. Milder winters are growing their prey populations quite nicely and feral cats are riding on the crest of that wave.

‘Cats ride the top of the food wave and ferrets come along in behind.’

Incredibly, a few irresponsible owners of domestic cats and kittens sometimes dump them in the Kawekas and other rural areas around Hawke’s Bay.

This isn’t just cruel to pets and a threat to wildlife. It is also a crime under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

  • Te Ngahere are doing a fine job checking the trap lines in the Kaweka Forest Park. Their Facebook post on 29 July tells us about the cats they have been catching with great success.

Filed Under: Stories

About Julia Mackie

Julia is an ECOED trustee and SOKK volunteer. She edits the website

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Stories

New kids on the hill

Banner Photo: Grant Russell from Stantec holding kiwi chick 'Stanley'Meet Stanley, our first chick release for the season. Deb had the pleasure of … Read More

Wow, a kiwi chick

Johno, our superhero kiwi in the Kaweka Forest Park, produced a kiwi chick and an egg (subsequently incubated at Westshore) in his first clutch of the … Read More

Stoats galore?

Thursday 26 January 2023Te Puia, (TP1- TP9) DOC250 traps, Hot Springs – Te Puia (370 – 411, DOC200, and CT13), Mangatainoka (W1-W15) Double … Read More

Johno’s fading signal leads to a double surprise

Banner Photo: Johno S and JohnoT in their transportation carrier for the ride to the kiwi crèche.Fiona and Robyn received a message from Deb … Read More

MTT help with grass maintenance at the kiwi crèche

It was great to have Justin and his Jobs for Nature crew from Maungaharuru Tangitu Trust come to clear the lake track at the Opouahi kiwi … Read More

About us

The Environment, Conservation and Outdoor Education Trust (ECOED) was established in 2002 to halt the decline of North Island brown kiwi in the Kaweka Forest Park. At that time, the estimated kiwi population was about 200. In response to the crisis, ECOED initiated the Save the Kiwi Hawke’s Bay Project, which is now known as Save Our Kaweka Kiwi, or SOKK.

Our goal is to restore a healthy population of kiwi in the forest park.

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