14 hours ago
War On Nature Targets National Parks
Forest & Bird is condemning a new Government plan to accept pests like deer and tahr in our national parks.
The Game Animal (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, welcoming invasive pests into our national parks when designated as 'special'.
'This is a dangerous step towards turning our national parks into game parks, putting trophy hunting above protecting nature,' says Forest & Bird spokesperson Nicky Snoyink.
'Out-of-control populations of these pests are eating and trampling our native alpine plants and forest understories, preventing regeneration.
'Instead of clamping down on these pests, this Government is doing the opposite and opening up the jewels in our country's crown – our national parks – to permanent damage and destruction.
'National parks like Westland Tai Poutini, Aoraki Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, and Fiordland are core to the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, which means they are as important as the Egyptian pyramids.
'These iconic national parks contain rocks, native plants and wildlife which take us back 80 million years to a time when New Zealand was part of the ancient super continent Gondwana. New Zealand's obligation is to protect these values.
'Pests like deer and tahr wreck these world heritage values. The impacts of introduced pests on our native forests and alpine ecosystems are devastating, long lasting, and trash the ecosystem's ability to be an effective carbon sink.
'New Zealanders and international visitors alike love our national parks and world heritage areas, and these should be looked after properly – their incredible and unique biodiversity is what makes them special.
'Our national parks are the last fully protected refuges for rare and threatened native species like kea, whio blue duck, and native mistletoe.
'This Bill weakens the protection provided to our native species and puts them in the way of greater harm from these pest animals,' says Ms Snoyink.
