New Zealand Declares War on Feral Cats, Aims for Eradication by 2050 to Save Native Wildlife

New Zealand has launched an ambitious plan to eradicate feral cats across the country by 2050, as reported by ndtv on November 27, 2025. This significant initiative aims to protect the nation's vulnerable native wildlife from the severe threat of predation. The move expands the country's long-standing predator-free strategy.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka described these cats as "stone cold killers," emphasizing the profound danger they pose to indigenous species, according to ndtv. He confirmed this crucial shift in government policy during an interview with Radio New Zealand on November 20, as detailed by The Straits Times.

Feral cats will now be officially integrated into the "Predator Free 2050" strategy, a comprehensive program launched in 2016 to target invasive species, Xinhua reported on November 21. This marks the first new addition to the national eradication list since its inception, highlighting the escalating concern over feline predators.

More than 2.5 million feral cats are estimated to roam New Zealand's diverse landscapes, from farms to forests and offshore islands, according to kursiv Media on November 25. These widespread predators have caused significant and often irreversible harm to native species that evolved without mammalian threats.

Native birds, bats, lizards, and insects are particularly vulnerable to these hunters, with documented cases including a single cat killing over 100 short-tailed bats in a week near Ohakune, as reported by The Straits Times. Feral cats have also driven the southern dotterel to near extinction on Stewart Island.

The decision follows strong public sentiment, with over 90% of nearly 3,400 submissions to a recent Department of Conservation consultation supporting tougher feral cat management, as stated by the Department of Conservation on November 21. This indicates a notable shift in public attitude compared to past controversies.

Minister Potaka clarified that the eradication plan specifically targets feral cats, which are defined as animals living entirely independent of humans, ndtv reported. He stressed that domestic pets are not included in this target, and responsible pet ownership remains crucial.

• Background Context and Historical Perspective: New Zealand's "Predator Free 2050" initiative, launched in 2016, initially focused on eradicating stoats, rats, and possums, as noted by AAP News on November 26. Cats, despite their well-documented ecological impact, had previously been excluded from the national eradication list, a stance now reversed due to overwhelming evidence of their destructive role in the ecosystem. Early eradication efforts on islands date back to the 1960s, with cats successfully removed from places like Little Barrier Island, leading to significant native bird population increases.

• Key Stakeholders and Their Positions: The government, led by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, is spearheading this effort, backed by the Department of Conservation and conservation groups like Predator Free New Zealand Trust. Animal welfare organizations, such as the SPCA, while acknowledging the need for control, advocate for humane methods and national cat management legislation, including mandatory microchipping and desexing of domestic cats, as reported by The Guardian on November 25. Farmers also strongly support the initiative due to livestock losses from toxoplasmosis spread by cats.

• Ecological and Economic Implications: Feral cats are responsible for significant biodiversity loss, preying on species that evolved without mammalian predators, including ground-nesting birds, lizards, and bats. Beyond wildlife, they spread toxoplasmosis, a parasite that harms dolphins, sickens residents, and causes substantial economic losses for farmers through lost stock, as highlighted by Xinhua. Predator Free New Zealand Trust estimates annual feral cat control and management costs between NZ$10 million and NZ$20 million.

• Methods and Challenges of Eradication: The plan involves coordinated national efforts, large-scale operations, and increased research into effective and humane tools, according to kursiv Media. Methods under consideration include poisoned sausage baits and tree-mounted devices that spray toxins, as mentioned by The Straits Times. However, controlling feral cats is challenging due to their elusive nature and ability to reinvade controlled areas, as noted by the Department of Conservation. Past efforts, such as a children's shooting competition, faced public backlash.

• Specific Wildlife at Risk: Feral cats impact a wide range of native species. Examples include the critically endangered black stilt (kakī), where only 30% of young birds survive to adulthood due to predation, and the kea, with studies showing up to 20% of monitored kea killed by feral cats in Arthur's Pass. On Rakiura/Stewart Island, they have nearly wiped out the southern dotterel, and a single cat was found with 17 skinks in its stomach in Canterbury, according to Waatea News.

• Timeline and Future Developments: More detailed plans for the feral cat eradication will be released in March 2026 as part of the revised Predator Free 2050 Strategy, according to the Department of Conservation. This strategy will outline concrete targets, funding, and potential new regulations for cat management, including discussions on mandatory microchipping and containment for domestic cats, as reported by Gulf News on November 24. The success of the campaign will depend heavily on technological advancements and public cooperation.

• Public Opinion and Past Controversies: While recent consultations show strong support for feral cat control, past attempts to address the issue have been highly controversial. Environmentalist Gareth Morgan's "Cats to Go" campaign in 2013, which suggested a nationwide eradication of domestic cats, met with fierce public outcry, as reported by The Guardian on November 25. However, recent feedback indicates a significant shift in public attitude towards stronger management, as noted by Kursiv Media.

• Distinction Between Feral, Stray, and Domestic Cats: The Department of Conservation and Minister Potaka emphasize a clear distinction: feral cats live wild and independently, stray cats are often lost domestic pets, and domestic cats are companion animals. The eradication targets only feral cats, with responsible ownership practices for domestic cats, such as desexing and keeping them contained, being promoted to minimize their impact on wildlife, as stated by the Department of Conservation.