Nobody knows how many feral cats roam New Zealand, but estimates are in the millions and they’re a major threat to our native species. They've infiltrated almost every landscape, from coasts, to farms, to National Parks like Fiordland. Plus they’re wily and trap-shy, making them a tricky predator to tackle. RNZ's In-Depth reporter Farah Hancock speaks to some people on the front lines of the battle against feral cats.

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In this episode:

00:00 – 00:59 Introduction to bonus episode
01:00 – 03:24 Background to feral cat problem

03:40 – 10:30 Playing ‘poos clues’ & trapping cats with hunter Victor Tinsdale

10:40 – 15:00 Daniel Cocker on how cats are threatening the dotterels on Rakiura

15:20 - 16:20 Farah explains how secondary poisoning works

16:30 – 19:42 Objections to 1080 use on Rakiura, and efforts to address these

20:18 – 24:08 Brad Windust with cat poo smelling dog Wero

24:09 – 24:44 Credits

Learn more:

• Read the series of articles and see photos on the RNZ Feral webpage.
• In 2023 OCW spoke to ‘Dotterel Dan’ about the plight of the pukunui, and a tagging study aimed at identifying exactly where they nest on Rakiura.
• In the Catlins, Forest and Bird pest control officer Gavin Whiteis also battling trap-smart feral cats. While in the Wye valley near Queenstown, the Southern Lakes Sanctuary is hoping that new AI tech will help in the battle.
• Kākāpō were moved fromRakiura because of predation by feral cats. As the numbers of these manu grow, hopes are that achieving Predator Free Rakiura goals, including eradication of feral cats, will allow them to return.

Guests:

• Victor Tindale, hunter
• Daniel Cocker, Department of Conservation ranger
• Brad Windust, trapper

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details