New Zealand proposes predator eradication project

New Zealand has proposed to eliminate almost all ground-dwelling predators from the entire archipelago, in order to make New Zealand safe for myriad creatures that evolved there unhunted until humans introduced rats, cats, stoats, possums and so on.

The project, “Predator Free New Zealand”, was announced on 25 July and will be run by a public-private partnership. New Zealand’s taxpayers will be contributing NZ$28 million (€12.85 million) to the project, on condition that twice this sum is raised elsewhere.

The objective of the project is to eliminate three types of introduced predator—rats, weasels and possums—by 2050.

New Zealand has previously eradicated introduced preditors on more than 100 occasions, the Economist reports. Yet, the new project is the biggest attempt. The North Island is 1,000 times the size of Campbell Island, the largest of New Zealand’s islands cleared so far, and the South Island is about 1,300 bigger.

The plan is reportedly to proceed in stages. Between now and 2020 there will be an increase in the amount of land involved in existing predator-control schemes.

The benefits, beyond preserving the country’s unique and diverse flora and fauna, reportedly include ecotourism and a reduction of bovine tuberculosis, which is spread in New Zealand by possums.