Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Recently, the Minister of Conservation announced that feral cats will be added to the Predator Free 2050 target species list in the next Predator Free 2050 Strategy.
Feral cats are being included alongside rats, possums and mustelids because they are a major threat to native wildlife. The list includes the most harmful introduced predators that we aim to eradicate from Aotearoa so that wildlife, nature, and our human communities can all thrive.
As a nation filled with people who love native wildlife and their pet cats, here are some key points about the announcement and what it means.
1) The decision was informed by input from New Zealanders
The decision to include feral cats in Predator Free 2050 was informed by public feedback.
From May to June, we asked New Zealanders to share their thoughts on the next five years of Predator Free 2050 for the review of our collective strategy.
Over the past five years, we heard people raise concerns that leaving some species (like feral cats) off the predator free target list was missing a chance to maximise benefits for native biodiversity.
Over 90% of the 3,398 submissions called for feral cats to be included in the Predator Free 2050 target species list and/or improved management of cats overall.
Most New Zealanders believe feral cats are a significant problem for native species and should be actively controlled on public conservation land.
2) Feral cats are very different from stray and pet cats
There are three recognised cat populations in New Zealand:
- domestic (or companion/pet) cats living with or dependant on humans
- stray cats living around towns and cities, with their needs met in part by humans
- feral cats, which live independently and do not rely on humans for survival
Feral cats cannot be rehomed as companion animals because they are unsocialised with people, don’t rely on humans to survive, and often live far away from where people live.
Feral cats are widespread in Aotearoa and even live in isolated areas like subantarctic Maukahuka Auckland Island or deep in the Fiordland native bush. They tend to be fitter and faster than pet cats but don’t live as long. The feral cats on Auckland Island swim a 118-metre channel of chilly subantarctic ocean to seasonally hunt.
3) We will never target pet cats and stray cats
At DOC, we have a mandate to manage feral cats on public conservation land. But management of pet and stray cats isn’t our role. Companion or stray cats will never be targeted as part of feral cat control work or Predator Free 2050.
We respect cat owners and their right to keep companion animals. We support responsible pet ownership alongside organisations like SPCA that encourage desexing, microchipping, (link – Helping you desex & microchip your animals) and keeping cats at home (link – Advice & welfare: Keeping your cat safe and happy at home • SPCA New Zealand).
4) Feral cats have a devastating impact on native birds, bats, lizards and insects
Feral cats are a major predator of our vulnerable native animals like native bats, birds, reptiles and insects. They’ve caused the extinction of native species in the past and could again in the future.
In 2010, a feral cat killed 102 short-tailed bats in just a week at Ruapehu. Another feral cat caught in Canterbury in 2020 had 17 skinks in its stomach.
Feral cats are also a major threat for kea. A study in Arthur’s Pass and Lewis Pass found that in 2020, 40% of monitored kea were killed – half by feral cats and half by stoats.
We don’t have an accurate estimate of the total feral cat population in New Zealand, as they are largely unseen – but we do see their impact.
5) Inclusion of feral cats will improve management – a win for nature
Including feral cats on the Predator Free 2050 list will enable better management of feral cats – benefitting our native wildlife and precious nature. Adding them to the list will:
- incentivise further research and development into humane tools and toxins,;
- support public education about the impacts that feral cats have on native wildlife;
- ensure researchers, communities and initiatives targeting feral cats are eligible for funding for their projects.
6) There are effective and humane tools to manage feral cats already, but will need more research and innovation
DOC and others control feral cats by using toxic baits, shooting and most commonly, trapping. These methods are humane, and by following best-practice techniques, adhere to the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
However, there are limited tools to target feral cats across large and often remote areas where they roam. So, we’ll need to invest in scientific research and innovation to achieve the goal of eradicating feral cats.
There is already some promising research. For example, the Predator Free 2050 programme is investing in tools like long-lasting, non-toxic and non-perishable lures that attract feral cats using different compounds for scent.
We’re also investing in a new meat-based bait to control feral cats across large areas. Trials so far show promising results with the meat baits effective for feral cats and not attractive to most native species. We’re continuing research to ensure these baits are safe, effective and protect native wildlife.
7) We’ll share more next steps in the Predator Free strategy and work plan
We will provide further detail on work towards eradicating feral cats and other target predators in the PF2050 Strategy and accompanying work plan to be released early next year. We’ll also share the summary of public submissions at that time.
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