New Zealand released 40 sparrows for pests, then paid bounties to kill them
New Zealand introduced house sparrows in 1867 hoping they would help farmers control crop-eating insects. The birds multiplied quickly and soon became a problem, feeding on grains and fruit and damaging wheat, barley and maize crops. Their rapid rise led to organised efforts to control them, including poisoned grain, shooting and bounties for eggs and heads. The story was part of a wider push to…
In 1867, the house sparrow was introduced to New Zealand with the intention of controlling agricultural pests. However, it quickly became a problem itself as it grew in numbers and started damaging crops. Farmers and authorities grew increasingly frustrated with the species. To address the issue, bounties were offered for the killing of sparrows.
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