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"The ultimate aim of the project is to support & extend the work of numerous local volunteer groups which have worked for many years to restore the Waimea Inlet through replanting, weed control and predator control . . . It's also about the whole community finding ways to protect native wildlife without endangering the well-being of beloved pet cats" |
PURPOSE
The essential aim of the project is to reduce the killing of banded rail and other vulnerable native bird species on the inlet by the live trapping of stray and wild cats.
The project also aims to:
A critically important part of the project will be ensuring the safety of domestic and pet cats in the project area.
The project also aims to:
- Encourage community understanding of the significant ecological values of the Waimea Inlet
- Encourage community understanding of the impact of cats - wild and domestic - on native birds
- Collect data which will contribute to scientific research into predator control in NZ.
A critically important part of the project will be ensuring the safety of domestic and pet cats in the project area.
STRATEGIES
1. REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF NATIVE BIRDS KILLED BY CATS
a. Live trapping of stray and wild cats in the project area.
b. Working closely with local cat owners in order to:
2. COMMUNITY EDUCATION
The project will work with residents and the wider community including vets, cat clubs, the SPCA, schools and the media to:
3. RESEARCH
A number of institutions in NZ are already research into cat behaviour and its effects on native birds. Current research is mainly centered on the urban environment.
With the assistance of local cat owners, the Live and Let Live Project contribute unique research data from a rural wetlands environment.
Data collected via the collars and cameras will be made available to researchers and local residents, and will inform future restoration projects.
a. Live trapping of stray and wild cats in the project area.
b. Working closely with local cat owners in order to:
- Allay fears about the safety of their family cat
- Free micro-chipping of cats in the project area so that domestic cats which are trapped can be returned safely to its owner/s.
- Encourage the keeping of cats inside at night
- Cat owners who agree to have their catted fitted with a GPS collar (see 3 below) will receive valuable safety information about their cat's movements - that their cat is crossing a busy highway at night for example.
2. COMMUNITY EDUCATION
The project will work with residents and the wider community including vets, cat clubs, the SPCA, schools and the media to:
- Improve understanding of the project and its activities
- Improve community understanding of the impact of cats on native wildlife
3. RESEARCH
A number of institutions in NZ are already research into cat behaviour and its effects on native birds. Current research is mainly centered on the urban environment.
With the assistance of local cat owners, the Live and Let Live Project contribute unique research data from a rural wetlands environment.
- Local cat-owners will be invited to have their cats wear GPS collars which will monitor their movements.
- Motion sensor cameras will be installed at various locations around the Estuary.
Data collected via the collars and cameras will be made available to researchers and local residents, and will inform future restoration projects.