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Podcast: Our Changing World
Episode:

Tackling feral cats

Category: Science & Medicine
Duration: 00:24:44
Publish Date: 2025-12-17 16:00:00
Description:

Nobody knows how many feral cats roam New Zealand, but estimates are in the millions and they’re a major threat to our native species. They've infiltrated almost every landscape, from coasts, to farms, to National Parks like Fiordland. Plus they’re wily and trap-shy, making them a tricky predator to tackle. RNZ's In-Depth reporter Farah Hancock speaks to some people on the front lines of the battle against feral cats.

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In this episode:

00:00 – 00:59 Introduction to bonus episode
01:00 – 03:24 Background to feral cat problem

03:40 – 10:30 Playing ‘poos clues’ & trapping cats with hunter Victor Tinsdale

10:40 – 15:00 Daniel Cocker on how cats are threatening the dotterels on Rakiura

15:20 - 16:20 Farah explains how secondary poisoning works

16:30 – 19:42 Objections to 1080 use on Rakiura, and efforts to address these

20:18 – 24:08 Brad Windust with cat poo smelling dog Wero

24:09 – 24:44 Credits

Learn more:

Guests:

  • Victor Tindale, hunter
  • Daniel Cocker, Department of Conservation ranger
  • Brad Windust, trapper

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Total Play: 0

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