Future of thar

Press, 2 November 1984, Page 12

Future of thar

Sir,—D. J. Round’s letter advocating eradication of thar can only be wishful thinking. The thar are here to stay. Their habits and habitat assure them of that. However, the use of helicopters has proved that management and control are simple, as well as providing an export earner. On recent trips thar hunting I have seen thar among merinos, but of course the mighty wool dollar exempts them from creating erosion. The very low density of alpine game animals can be doing no damage to the environment. They are. giving a large number of hunters the opportunity to pursue a very exciting sport. We are privileged to be able to hunt so cheaply and freely. These animals should be regarded as an asset, not a liability. — Yours, etc., ' GEOFF HARDING. October 31, 1984. . I

Sir,—l was surprised that Karl Schasching (October 29) claimed that your article on thar “strayed to peripheral facets totally irrelevant at this stage.” Some aspects were peripheral only to those with a narrow field of vision/In one respect, however, I must agree with Karl Schasching when he says “What a load of bull.” A mature bull thar weighs about 2001 b. (Wodzicki 1950) — a load of bull to be sure. What a phenomenal amount of vegetation even a small population of thar must graze each day to support their weight, and this from fragile alpine zones. Tight control, and eradication near National Parks is essential. With regard to the preservation of a hunted herd, I had hoped that the lusty pleasure some people derive from killing animals for fun was dying out. I am reminded of the “come alive” campaign, and the oxymoronic slogan, “Come alive, go deerstalking.” — Yours, etc., GEOFF HENDERSON, Kaiapoi. October 31, 1984.

Sir,—Like Zeff Veronese (November 1), I am surprised by some people’s narrow-mindedness. I am surprised by those who cannot see our wild and beautiful mountains as adequate without the presence, of large introduced pests to be hunted and killed. Zeff Veronese stresses the commercial value of thar’s meat, skins, and trophies. Any commercial exploiter of thar, however, is hardly likely to be satisfied vfiith their present low &

numbers. Inevitably commercial interests will clamour for an increase in the thar population. It is a sad day for New Zealand when the high country is destroyed and the mountains are washed into the sea for the sake of Mr Veronese’s “fast buck.” — Yours, etc.,

D. J. ROUND. November 1, 1984.