Global Outrage Over New Zealand’s Feral Cat Hunting Contest

A hunting competition in New Zealand has sparked global condemnation for its controversial inclusion of feral domestic cats. The annual North Canterbury Hunting Competition, held in the northern part of South Island at the end of June, offered cash prizes for hunting non-native wild and domestic species, including deer, pigs, hares, rabbits, wallabies, possums, and cats.

According to the competition's Facebook page, a total of 371 cats were trapped, identified as feral, and then shot. Animal welfare groups have criticized the event, particularly for its inclusion of a children's category, arguing it has little to do with conservation.

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DoC) defended the competition, stating that feral cats significantly impact the environment.

"The control of feral cats through this competition will benefit native wildlife," said Clayson Howell, landscape threats science manager.

He noted that as cats can roam large distances, reducing their numbers could lower cat density on adjacent public conservation lands.

The DoC manages feral cats in areas where they pose significant threats to native species, such as Arthur’s Pass National Park and Lake Sumner Forest Park, to protect the orange-fronted parakeet (kākāriki karaka), and on Stewart Island (Rakiura) to safeguard the New Zealand dotterel (pukunui). Feral cats also prey on native lizards, bats, and large flightless crickets known as wētā. Moreover, they can carry the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be fatal to Hector’s and Critically Endangered Māui dolphins when washed into the sea.

New Zealand aims to eradicate invasive predators by 2050, targeting rats, possums, and mustelids like ferrets, stoats, and weasels. Cats are not currently included in this initiative, but Howell mentioned a review is underway to consider their inclusion. He emphasized the complexity of managing cats and the growing need for national legislation. "We support, in principle, the desexing, microchipping, and registering of domestic cats to reduce the feral population," Howell stated.