New Zealand says it’s going to eradicate feral cats

8 comments

1. New Zealand has [announced plans to eradicate feral cats by 2050](https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/science/new-zealand-feral-cats-scli-intl?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=missions&utm_source=reddit), as part of efforts to protect the country’s biodiversity.

   Speaking to Radio New Zealand on Thursday, conservation minister Tama Potaka said that feral cats are “stone cold killers” and would be added to the country’s Predator Free 2050 list, which aims to eradicate those animals that have a negative impact on species such as birds, bats, lizards and insects.

   Cats had previously been excluded from the list, which includes species such as stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats and possums, but Potaka used the interview to announce a U-turn.

   He defined a feral cat as a wild animal that lives independently of humans. “They kill to survive,” he said.

   Among the options on the table to eradicate feral cats are poisoned sausage bait and a type of poison that would be sprayed from a device on a tree as they walk past, Potaka said.

2. I think about this any time I see people feeding strays. They’re terrible for the local ecosystems

3. I imagine this policy will survive right up until the point they accidentally kill somebody’s pet.

4. Yeah, but are they willing to put in the “helicopter sniper” level of dedication that Madagascar put into eradicating their goats?

   If not, you can never kill 100% of a wild population. And the survivors get generationally better at hiding. God speed New Zealand, and good luck.

5. I appreciate the reasoning, but cats, feral or otherwise, are incredibly tough to “eradicate”. They are hardy, adaptable, great breeders, hide their population well, and are escape artists. Good luck!

6. Every one who owns a cat needs to be a responsible owner. Keep the cat indoors or build a cat enclosure to keep them safe.

   People who give kittens away “free to good home” are part of the problem and this should be illegal.

7. Brings me back to my childhood on the farm when we’d cull the barn cat population once a year. Such a miserable experience

8. Good god. I know cats can be a problem for wildlife in certain areas, but the gleeful way some of you all are talking about killing cats is sickening. It’s like a time when cat haters can come out of the wood work and talk about killing animals. TNR and encouraging keeping pets inside is a much more humane way to deal with this FFS. Also… maybe make sure humans don’t destroy the wild animals habitats as well.

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