CONTROL OF ANIMALS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30127, 10 May 1963, Page 3

CONTROL OF ANIMALS

Successes In Canterbury

Vegetational studies gave the lie to statements that no control of noxious animals had been achieved in New Zealand native forests, the officer in charge of the protection forestry branch of the Forest Research Institute of the New Zealand Forest Ser. vice (Mr J. T. Holloway) said yesterday. He was addressing a conference on erosion at the Forest and Range Experiment Station, Rangiora, the branch’s new headquarters. In the Harper-Avoca valley area of the Rakaia catchment, animal numbers had been cut right down and a good •vegetation response had followed, Mr Holloway said. This was also true in parts of the Waimakariri catchment, probably the most important of all. A new problem to the service was how to interest enthusiastic hunters in continuing to shoot over such areas, Mr Holloway said. His branch was trying to find out how long, if at all, such an area could be left completely alone, and what methods were most suitable in attracting small animal populations.

Another statement which Mr Holloway said was often made, but with which he disagreed, was that control of noxious animals was not possible without basic research. “Research makes control cheaper, easier, and more effective, and aids in forecasting results, but some control can be achieved without it. if enough effort is put in,” he said.