Hunting contest in New Zealand: Children are supposed to kill stray cats

Fishing in New Zealand

Kids are supposed to kill cats in a competition – Shitstorm causes the cancellation

Thursday 20 April 2023 | 11:25

In a hunting competition in North Canterbury, a region in the South Island of New Zealand, children up to 14 years old had to hunt for feral cats. In a specially created category, prize money of NZ$250 (about €140) was offered for the most animals photographed between mid-April and the end of June. With this, the organizers of the annual North Canterbury hunting competition also wanted to contribute to the protection of the homeland.

Hunting organizers wanted to create a category for killing stray cats

Because the predators, which include rats and possums in addition to feral cats, kill many native animals such as kiwis and reptiles. That’s why the country wants to completely eradicate the predators from New Zealand’s two main islands by 2050. Although the organizers were pursuing a well-intentioned plan with the measure — it was also to be a fundraiser for a school and a swimming pool — it wasn’t well received, particularly by Animal rights activists.

Children were warned not to kill domestic cats. If youngsters catch microchipped animals, they will be disqualified. However, a spokesperson for the SPCA animal protection organization explained that “children, like adults, cannot tell the difference between a stray cat, a stray kitten, or an anxious house cat.” As a result of the wave of criticism, the competition was canceled, to which the speaker was very relieved.

A storm of “disgusting and inappropriate emails”

The regulators had little understanding of the headwinds. The “disgusting and inappropriate emails” went to the school, among other things. In order to prevent escalation, the category has been withdrawn. Many were looking to “get involved in something that involved protecting local birds and other endangered species.”

According to The Guardian, more than 650 adults and 250 children took part in the fishing competition last year. The youth killed 427 animals, mostly rabbits, rabbits, and possums.