New Zealand businessman Gareth Morgan has proposed ridding his country of cats to save native birds. He says euthanasia of cats “is an option.” He claims cats are natural born killers; and perhaps they are and do a service ridding New Zealand of invasive rats.
\He claims that cats are posing a threat to native birds, while ignoring the fact that pesticides to more to harm native birds than anything else- but interestingly, isn't calling for an end to pesicide use.
When it Comes to Pesticides, Birds are Sitting Ducks http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/fact_sheets/default.cfm?fxsht=8
New Zealand currently uses the toxic chemicals Sodium fluoroacetate (1080), 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, DDT, Endosulfan, and methyl bromide for widespead agriculture use- and they are ALL deadly to birds.
Additionally, much native habitat of native birds has been lost to livestock grazing of invasive species- such as goats, cows, pigs and sheep. There are over 50 invasive plant species in New Zealand and some may be toxic to birds and other wildlife.
The biggest threat to birds in New Zealand is NOT cats. There is a bigger need to eradicate pesticides and herbicides than there is pet cats.
SOURCE: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/01/23/new-zealand-economist-abolish-pet-cats-to-save-birds/
New Zealand businessman Gareth Morgan has proposed ridding his country of cats to save native birds. He says euthanasia of cats “is an option.” He claims cats are natural born killers; and perhaps they are and do a service ridding New Zealand of invasive rats.
\He claims that cats are posing a threat to native birds, while ignoring the fact that pesticides to more to harm native birds than anything else- but interestingly, isn't calling for an end to pesicide use.
When it Comes to Pesticides, Birds are Sitting Ducks http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/fact_sheets/default.cfm?fxsht=8
New Zealand currently uses the toxic chemicals Sodium fluoroacetate (1080), 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, DDT, Endosulfan, and methyl bromide for widespead agriculture use- and they are ALL deadly to birds.
Additionally, much native habitat of native birds has been lost to livestock grazing of invasive species- such as goats, cows, pigs and sheep. There are over 50 invasive plant species in New Zealand and some may be toxic to birds and other wildlife.
The biggest threat to birds in New Zealand is NOT cats. There is a bigger need to eradicate pesticides and herbicides than there is pet cats.
SOURCE: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/01/23/new-zealand-economist-abolish-pet-cats-to-save-birds/
