6 Jun 2025

Call for feral cats to be added to predator free hit list

From Checkpoint, 4:46 pm on 6 June 2025

Waipa District Council is pushing for feral cats to added to DOC's predator free hit list. There are an estimated 2.4 million feral cats in New Zealand compared to 1.2 million pet cats, and about 200,000 stray cats. They are considered a significant threat to native wildlife, particularly birds. Now the conservation department has asked for feedback on whether feral cats should be a so-called target species. Waipa District councillor Marcus Gower spoke to Lisa Owen.