(STUFF) — Some scientists are backing Gareth Morgan’s campaign to control cats in order to protect native species, but say more also needs to be done to counter other predators.
Morgan, a philanthropist and economist, launched the Cats to Go website yesterday, which calls for the eradication of the “friendly neighbourhood serial killer”.
Killing cats was an option, but cat owners should also control their pets in order to protect native species, the website said.
University of Otago senior lecturer in zoology, Dr Yolanda van Heezik, supported Morgan’s campaign, saying his proposals were reasonable and would prove effective.
“Consider using a collar with a bell: our research has shown they reduced catch by 50 per cent,” van Heezik said.