MENACE TO BIRD LIFE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17233, 12 April 1930, Page 9

MENACE TO BIRD LIFE

STOATS AND WEASELS EXTERMINATION WANTED In a thoughtful address at the meeting of the Otago Institute, Mr. S. Angel, the new president,-struck a very practical note which should find favor with the increasing number of people who aro interested in the protection and preservation of the native flora and fauna and m wild-life control. In the early stages of his address Mr. Angel paid a high tribute to the forethought of the Government in setting aside no fewer than 827 scenic reserves in the Dominion of ;i total area ot 505,000 acres, but, he proceeded, the greatest menace to the preservation of nativo fauna and flora was the persistent dosire to introduce exotic animals of no economic value, such as the rabbit, deer, goat, chamois, the thar, simply, it would seem, for the purpose of providing sport for a few sportsmen. Unfortunately, a further folly followed in tho attempt to check the rabbit- by introducing tho stoat and weasel, which had spread to such an extent as to threaten the extermination of our wonderful flightless birds. GROUND NESTING BIRDS SUFFER While it would not bo denied that these animals accounted for many rabbits and rats, it was equally certain that the latter pests would never be exterminated by them, Mr. Angel continued. There was conclusive evidence however, that stoats and weasels had penetrated lo districts where no rabbits were found, and consequently must live almost entirely on native birds. In the hush lands of Southland and Westland they were reported to he increasing rapidly, and there was little doubt hut that many ground nesting birds must fall a prey to thorn. Some observers had expressed the opinion that the weka was more than able to hold its own against the stoat and weasel, but it was certain that kakapos, kiwis, wekas, and bluo ducks were disappearing, if not already exterminated, from districts where they were once plentiful. At any rate, some definite action should lie taken to check if not exterminate those bloodthirsty animals and to remove tho protection at present accorded by the Act. OPOSSUM DEFENDED. In a brief defence of the Australian opossum, .Mr. Angel said that while on general principals he was opposed to tho introduction of any exotic animal, ho was not alarmed at the rapid increase of this marsupial in our bush lands. W bile recognising that its food consisted of the seeds, berries, and leaves of most of our native trees, and it must to some extent compete, with many of the native birds, he did not think that tho decrease of the latter was due to a lack of food. The reports as to the opossum feeding on birds’ eggs need not ho seriously considered, for investigations both m New Zealand and Australia into tho stomach contents, showed that it was purely vegetarian, and the very rare trace of eggs having been taken proved to bo tho exception rather than the rule. He was also not convinced that any material damage to trees is being done through its feeding habits. From a revenue point of view tho opossum had attained somo importance, and whilo its skin commanded tho price ruling during recent years there did not. appear much chanco ot its ever becoming a serious menace to our bush and bird life.