ACCLIMATISATION MANIA

Evening Star, Issue 19943, 13 August 1928, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION MANIA

INSIDIOUS FORM OF VANDALISM DR MYERS OK NATIVE BIRD PROTECTION A paper was read at the Geneva Conference of many nations concerning the need for native bird protection by Dr J G. Myers, formerly attached to the Agricultural Department of this dominion. In it he stressed the point that New Zealand was noted tor some of the most remarkable birds in tho world, and briefly touched upon acr'liiiintisntion as under:—

“ Tho llnuua iui acclimatisation, or the etsablishmeut of foreign animals and plants, perhaps more prevalent in New Zealand than in any other country, is a most insidious form of vandalism. In reserves and national parks it is a sin against posterity, and an everlasting reproach to New Zealand, that such a process should not only bo allowed, but should actually in many cases be deibcratel.y and actively encouraged by persons in authority whose patriotism, scorning those natural beauties which embody the very spirit ot our country, rises no higher than a desire to create in New Zealand a paltry imitation of other lands.

“A line. then, ulurli active protection must take, as a vigorous campaign against aliens—plant and animal—in the sanctuaries and reserves, above all, against the rats, feral cats, stoats, and weasels. The two latter were intentionally introduced as a measure against the plague of iabbits, themselves also deliberately imported. But Australia, which suffers far more than New Zealand from tho rabbit pest, refused to believe that two wrongs could make a right, and has therefore never followed New Zealand’s bad example in introducing stoats and weasels. In the latter dominion an Order in Council in 1923 declared stoats and weasels to be the natural enemies of the rabbit throughout the country, and so these bloodthirsty little animals, widespread through the forests where rabbits do not exist, may not be destroyed save by special permission granted by inspectors of stock, and effective only on sanctuaries, poultry-farms, and game-raising establishments. In any case, a campaign against vermin cannot be ’ undertaken without vastly more caretakers and skilled rangers than are at present employed. No fewer than thirty-nine islands and groups of islets round the coast are under various Acts as bird sanctuaries, but only two have curators.

“There is another very dangerous side of the acclimatisation question which should not be overlooked. Once a sanctuary is created in a favourable situation, there is a regrettable tendency to stock it, or wish to slock it, witli species of native birds not already present, but confined to different localities, or even to other islands. In the case of the confusing medley of species and varieties in the kiwis (Apteryx) and the wekas IGallirallus) this practice leads inevitably to interbreeding, and perhaps prevent; ‘nr ever the elucidation of puzzling forms. It is species wc should preserve—not mongrels. “Finally, there is great need for education.* A healthy public opinion, freed from the erroneous notion that tho native birds are doomed in any case, would do more to enforce Hie protection laws in the backblocks than all the police in tbo world. This is the task of tho Native - Bird Protection Society, and I can confidently report that it has tbo work well in«hand, and is receiving very hearty support from the Press and from the Government departments concerned. To summarise briefly, the needs of bird protection in New Zealand are as follows; —

1. Adequate enforcement of the protection laws. 2. Unity of control of sanctuaries and reserves. 3. A campaign against aliens—plant and animal —in the sanctuaries. 4. Intensive research into tho problem why some species adapt themselves to changed conditions, while others disappear. 5. Education of young and _ old hi the value and interest, scientific, economic, and aesthetic, of The native birds of New Zealand.