Codfish Island wekas
Sir, — Your correspondents W. J. Mathews and W. Margaret Dennis (August 11) are not fully aware of the problems involved in the removal of the Codfish Island wekas. The wekas are. not endemic, having been introduced to the island by sealers for food. The island is an ideal breeding ground for the weka, one of their food sources being the endangered petrels . which they savagely attack. Previous removal attempts have been unsuccessful as it has been impossible to keep ahead of the wekas’ natural population increase. The Wildlife Service’s plan to shoot half of the wekas and the use of volunteers to trap live birds for removal will make it possible for all the wekas to be removed off the island. This is essential if the petrels are to survive. The Wildlife Service has a small staff and limited budget with which it manages its enormous task. It is fortunate that the staff are dedicated and devote considerable personal time to New Z e a.l and ’ s endangered species. — Yours, etc., K. M. MOFFITT, Nelson. August 11, 1980.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19800815.2.84.19
Bibliographic details
Press, 15 August 1980, Page 12
Word Count
181Codfish Island wekas Press, 15 August 1980, Page 12
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.