Cats are way cheaper than poison!

The government of New Zealand plans to spend $21 million to spread the poison 1080 in an effort to kill an expected explosion in rat and stoat populations over the next five years.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11193880

But, killers are doing away with one of New Zealand's best rat and stoat controls--cats. While cats cannot completely control the level of rodents expected, they could certainly help---if they're not DEAD! To quote the article above, " Rats, stoats and possums kill an estimated 25 million native birds a year, or 2000 birds every hour."

"Stoats are considered the biggest threat to all New Zealand native birds. Stoats are awesome hunters. They are by far the most threatening predator to all kiwi chicks."

http://www.projectkiwi.org.nz/index.asp?s1=Ecosystem&s2=Predators

Look at these nasties eating chicks--retrieved from http://static.stuff.co.nz/1353011813/278/7959278.jpg

 

 

Do cats kill birds? Sure, but they are only one in a long list of predators and do in fact, kill fewer birds than rats, stoats, weasels, possums and DOGS!

 

"All dogs, regardless of size, breed, training or temperament are potential kiwi killers. Farm dogs, hunting dogs, visiting dogs and pet dogs are equally attracted to the strong distinctive scent of kiwi."

 

http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/kiwi/threats/

 

So there, leave the cats alone and work on some of the bigger problems for birds in New Zealand! Stop blaming cats alone for declining native bird populations, when in fact, they could help by killing rodents feeding on eggs and hatchlings.