Notorious Feral Cat That Feasted on Rare New Zealand Ducks Captured After Three-Year Hunt
The gray tabby, known as Nine Lives because it eluded capture so many times, had devastated efforts by conservationists to reintroduce the birds to the wild
A notorious feral cat, known as Nine Lives, that had been feasting on rare New Zealand ducks has finally been captured and killed after a three-year hunt. The elusive predator, a large gray tabby, was responsible for the deaths of many of the captive-raised brown teal ducks released into the wild on the Purerua Peninsula on New Zealand's North Island.
Conservationists had previously released 20 of the birds, but Nine Lives quickly claimed the first one within a week. Surveillance cameras captured footage of the cat preying on the ducks, leading to increased efforts to locate and capture it. Despite its erratic behavior, making it difficult to track, Nine Lives was eventually caught on July 30.
Conservationists believe the cat may have also been preying on kiwi chicks, geckos, and other native species. The Purerua Peninsula is home to more than 2.5 million feral cats, many of which are descended from North African hunting cats. With the removal of invasive predators like feral cats, conservationists aim to boost biodiversity and protect New Zealand's native wildlife.
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