New Zealand Targets Feral Cats to Protect Native Birds (Full Transcript)

A trapper recounts years of removing feral cats as New Zealand intensifies efforts to protect endangered wildlife like kiwis from predators.

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[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Within the last 12 years, I've probably taken 500 cats.

[00:00:03] Speaker 2: New Zealand has a problem, feral cats. While they may look like their domesticated cousins, New Zealand's government says they're ruthless predators who need to be wiped out.

[00:00:12] Speaker 3: Because they are stone-cold killers, and they're going out and wiping out a lot of our birds.

[00:00:17] Speaker 2: New Zealand recognises feral cats as those that live in remote areas and find food for themselves, as opposed to domestic or stray cats. The government says only feral cats will be targeted in a campaign to protect endangered wildlife. Meet Mike. He's one of the trappers hunting down the feral cats. And meet his nemesis, Nine Lives.

[00:00:35] Speaker 1: We've went over here to name Nine Lives because he's been in our scope a few times and we haven't been able to get the deal done. He'll be the most elusive cat I've ever come across.

[00:00:44] Speaker 2: Mike says he's been hunting down Nine Lives for two and a half years.

[00:00:48] Speaker 1: And we've got him on camera, sitting at the base of traps, on traps, and he's winning at the moment.

[00:00:54] Speaker 2: And joining him, it's easy to see why it can be so difficult.

[00:00:57] Speaker 1: That looks like a cat one here. They put a trap up there and he's been busy down here.

[00:01:03] Speaker 2: One of the reasons Mike has dedicated so much time hunting Nine Lives is for these kiwis. But the feral cat was able to evade him once again.

[00:01:10] Speaker 1: Enemy was spotted on the camera last night, one o'clock this morning.

[00:01:13] Speaker 2: Do you reckon you'll get them all?

[00:01:15] Speaker 1: Yep. Takes a lot of time. A lot of time to get them.

Summary

A transcript segment describes New Zealand’s effort to eradicate feral cats to protect endangered wildlife, particularly native birds like kiwis. The government distinguishes feral cats from domestic or stray cats and targets only feral populations. A trapper named Mike recounts capturing hundreds of cats over 12 years and details his two-and-a-half-year pursuit of an elusive feral cat he calls “Nine Lives,” which continues to evade traps despite being frequently captured on camera.

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Title

New Zealand Trapper Hunts Elusive Feral Cat to Protect Kiwis

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Keywords

New Zealand Remove

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feral cats Remove

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invasive species Remove

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predators

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conservation Remove

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endangered wildlife Remove

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kiwi birds Remove

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trapping

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eradication campaign Remove

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Nine Lives Remove

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Mike

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biosecurity Remove

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Key Takeaways

New Zealand considers feral cats a significant threat to native bird populations.
The government differentiates feral cats from domestic and stray cats and says only feral cats are targeted.
Trappers like Mike have removed large numbers of feral cats over many years.
Some individual feral cats can be highly elusive, complicating eradication efforts.
Protecting species such as kiwis is a key motivation behind feral cat control programs.

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Sentiments

Neutral: The tone is matter-of-fact and documentary-like, presenting conservation concerns and a trapper’s determined pursuit without overt emotional language, though it frames feral cats as dangerous predators threatening native birds.

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