Dogs
The greatest problem is from feral dogs, however pet owners in the Waimate North area should be vigilant in ensuring that their animal is controlled and not wandering in environmentally sensitive areas. Keep your dog on a leash when walking in kiwi areas as a bird can be killed in seconds. However even dogs on a leash are a danger as a kiwi has a body which is extremely vulnerable to damage when mouthed ("retrieved") or bitten by dogs. Kiwi often sleep in relatively open areas in clumps of grass or shrubs. One dog can wipe out an entire kiwi population in an area. The trust has dog traps available on loan.
Cats
Cats are highly successful predators and prowl extensive areas. A cat can wander up to 5 kilometres from home in a night. Bird populations can be decimated by an efficient cat. Feral cats are the main concern but pet owners should keep their cats indoors at night to minimise the effect on kiwi. The trust is not anti domestic cat, however it is interesting to read the excerpt below from a recent survey on the impact of domestic cats on urban bird life.
This study by Yoland van Heezik and Amber Smyth recorded the prey brought back by 122 cats in Dunedin city during one year.
- The 122 cats brought back 1827 prey items (a New York study showed only one third of prey is brought home)
- 639 items of prey were birds of which 269 were natives
- 347 prey items were insects
- Almost 200 lizards were caught
- Young cats take more than old cats
- There was little difference in prey capture between sexes