- The predators arrived on settlers’ ships hundreds of years ago and reproduced
- They are driving native animals like the national bird to the brink of extinction
- Kiwi numbers have plunged to about 68,000 today and species may be extinct within 50 years
New Zealand is planning to kill every rat, stoat and possum in the country in an effort to save its national bird, the kiwi.
The predators arrived on settlers’ ships hundreds of years ago, and are driving native animals to the brink of extinction with 25million killed each year.
Rats, stoats and possums will be the target of a new cull in New Zealand (stock image)
The kiwi, which evolved to evade bird predators, is easy prey as it nests on the ground. As a result, kiwi numbers have plunged to about 68,000 today. At current estimates it will be extinct within 50 years.
But the plan to eliminate millions of pests by 2050 has been branded unrealistic by critics.
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