GAME HUNTING IN FIORDLAND

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27010, 9 April 1953, Page 13

GAME HUNTING IN FIORDLAND

INTRODUCTION OF BEARS OPPOSED (New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 8. New Zealand had already had costly experience of the dangers of introducing many animals to the country, said the director of the Auckland Zoo (Mr W. Roach), comenting today on the suggestion of an Australian sportsman that grizzly and brown bears should be introduced to the Fiordland National Park.

“As no one can foretell what would happen, this should be avoided,” said Mr Roach.

“Over the centuries, a balance was established in this country’s natural life,” he said. “This has been upset in part by the introduction of mammals. Whenever one has been brought in. it has become so well established that another type has been imported to keep it in check. The jresult is an abundance of pests and nuisances. One could cite rabbits, stoats,, and ferrets, “There is no doubt that the bears would do weU here,” Mr Roach said. “But there is not a wide range of animal life for them in Fiordland, and when that is killed, they might possibly move into the sheep and cattle, country. I think people would be sorry after a few years.”