WILD LIFE STUDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 16

WILD LIFE STUDY

BIRDS AND ANIMALS THE NEED FOR RESEARCH PROTECTION SOCIETY'S PLEA [BT TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Friday The executive of the Forest and Bird Protection Society continues to press for an intelligent policy in wild-life conservation. "This ideal will not be achieved in New Zealand," said Captain E. V. Sanderson, president of the society, in a statement, "until there is a proper appreciation of the s complex factors involved. Much biological research is needed as a preliminary to the formulation of a correct policy.

"Some people say that hawks are the real enemy of all birds. They ignore the fact that hawks have lived in association with birds for ages upon ages. Other commentators specially mention stoats and weasels! The Forest and Bird Protection Society, which received reports from all parts of New Zealand, holds that by far the most numerous accusations are against man in the form of illegal shooting and other destruction.

"Judging from observations and reports, it appears that there is a constant trend in migration northward of weasels and stoats. They will at times disappear almost entirely from a locality and then take some years to build up their numbers, but all the time conies the tale of woe about stoats and weasels in the more northern districts. "Much will be learnt about wild life and there will be much saving of waste effort and licence-holders' money when it is recognised that an expert biological committee is necessary to determine what are facts and what arc mere surmises. The investigations of such a committee will bring definite truth in place of disputes based on guesswork, and Ministers of the Crown will receive the knowledge necessary for their guidance in the wild-life field."