New Zealand offers monetary incentives to those who eliminate feral cats

During a recent feral cat killing competition in rural North Canterbury, a hunter was awarded $608 for killing the largest cat weighing 6.7 kg. The organizers of the event announced that they would expand the contest next year. The competition saw 370 feral cats killed, along with wild boars, possums, rats, and deer. This year, 1,500 hunters participated, including 460 children accompanied by adults. Feral cats are known to prey on endangered birds, bats, and lizards, pushing some species to the brink of extinction, according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

The hunter who killed the largest feral cat received a cash prize of $608, while another contestant who killed the most feral cats, a total of 65, received $304. Organizer Matt Bailey stated that they plan to increase the prize money for next year to make the contest even bigger. Bailey emphasized the importance of eradicating feral cats, which he referred to as the devil, due to their impact on native wildlife and spread of diseases to livestock.

Feral cat hunts are restricted to areas at least 10km away from human settlements. Many conservation groups are advocating for feral cats to be included in New Zealand’s pest eradication plan by 2050, alongside other pests like stoats, rats, possums, and ferrets. However, the issue is sensitive in New Zealand, where nearly half of households have cats as pets.

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