REINTRODUCTION OF PHEASANTS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28435, 15 November 1957, Page 23

REINTRODUCTION OF PHEASANTS

Chicks To Be Reared

On 24 Properties

The 500 pheasant eggs obtained from the Otago Acclimatisation Society’s game farm recently in an endeavour to re-establisn these game birds in the Ashburton society’s district have been distributed in settings on 24 properties throughout the county. The settings have been allocated to properties in approved localities with sufficient natural shelter to assist in the birds’ successful establishment. The young chicks, when hatched, will be reared on the properties, and when fully matured will be allowed to establish themselves in the adjacent areas. Districts in which they will be reared include Greenstreet, Mount Somers; Methven Pendarves, and Highbank. “Full protection will be afforded the birds until such time as the society considers they have become established in sufficient numbers in the district.” said the secretary of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society (Mr J. B. Nicoll) yesterday. It was hoped to obtain more eggs next year for hatching. An effort was made to establish pheasants in localities bordering the Rakaia river about 25 years ago. but the attempts were unsuccessful due to a major programme of rabbit poisoning about that time with phosphorised pollard. which killed off the birds. “The society is very appreciative of the assistance given by landholders to help establish the pheasants by offering to hatch and rear the birds on their properties,” Mr Nicoll said.