New Zealand cat killing contest vows to continue hunting 'crazy' felines July 3, 2024

Hundreds of people took part in the hunting competition in North Canterbury, which targets feral cats - a plague in New Zealand. Photo: Minden Pictures/Alamy

By AFP - Agence France Presse

New Zealand cat killing contest vows to continue hunting 'crazy' felines

New Zealand's annual cat killing contest plans to expand next year, the event's organizer said Wednesday, describing feral cats as a serious threat to native wildlife.

Feral cats prey on endangered birds, bats, and lizards, according to New Zealand's conservation department, and are blamed for driving some species to extinction.

The latest edition of the competition was held at the weekend in rural North Canterbury, with hunters killing 370 feral cats, as well as wild pigs, possums, rats, and deer.

The competition attracted 1,500 hunters, including 460 children who had to be accompanied by adults.

This year, one hunter won a cash prize of NZ$1,000 (US$608) for killing the largest wildcat, which weighed 6.7 kg (14.8 pounds).

Another NZ$500 went to the participant with the most kills - 65 wildcats.

"We'll continue with what we're doing and increase the prize money next year to make it bigger and better," hunt organizer Matt Bailey told AFP.

The event made international headlines last year when a public backlash forced the scrapping of an event dedicated to children under 14.

But Bailey said the hunt was necessary to eliminate feral cats, which prey on native wildlife and transmit diseases that threaten livestock.

Feral cats are like "the devil on meth", he said.

"They go crazy when they're caged. They run around trying to attack you," he added.

"It would be amazing to hear our native birds singing, but their numbers are falling because the feral cats are wiping out everything around here."

Cat hunting has been restricted to areas at least 10 kilometers (six miles) away from residential areas.

Conservation groups want feral cats to be included in New Zealand's plans to eradicate pests such as stoats, rats, possums, and ferrets by 2050.

But the issue is sensitive in New Zealand, where around half of all households have a pet cat.

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