THE GERMAN OWL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22779, 15 January 1936, Page 4

THE GERMAN OWL

Tff THE EDITOR SIE, —I feel it is my duty to enlighten the people of Otago respecting what is happening in one of the most beautiful bush countries in the world. During the Christmas and New Year holidays I have received over 90 owls heads, and am told there are thousands of owls m all parts of the South Island. , To give an idea of the ravages of this pest, I may quote what two lads have written me. One from Central Otago says:—“We camp all over the South Island, and for years my father has recognised how these killers are horrible pests, and has written to the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society what he knows from experience to be true. At the back of Kartigi and in the ravine between the Horseshoe Range and Kartigi not a bird is to be heard in that beautiful bush. Owls are praticularly thick in Centra! Otago, and seem to fly about quite easily in the daytime. It is only those that camp who realise what brutal killlers they are and should be exterminated. A lad from Wanaka road, Cromwell, writes: —“ The owls kill hundreds of birds and take them to thfcir nests. My brothers and myself have tried on several occasions to rear young native birds, and they just begin to grow their pretty feathers when the owls come and kill the lot.” . , , I ask you, Are we going to sit down peacefully and allow this state of affairs to continue? Surely every man and woman who love their country and are proud of the joyous songsters that charm us with their music and make life in the bush a paradise will help to rid New Zealand of the greatest pest which has ever been introduced. It is an expensive business trapping and shooting, and funds are required to pav royalties. I, therefore, appeal to the public for even small donations to assist in carrying on the work. —I am, etc., i A. H. Fisheb. Dunedin, January 14.