New Zealand’s cats are decimating native wildlife – should they be treated as pests?

New Zealand’s pet cats are estimated to be responsible for killing at least 1.12 million native birds every year. Photograph: New Zealand Transition/Getty Images

Cats have long held a special place in the life of ex-breeder and conservationist, Julie Boyd, providing colour and companionship, as well as being keen rodent hunters. On her sprawling rural New Zealand property in the upper North Island town of Kaipara Flats, the cats roam free.

“I have an elderly cat- Padme – who is 17-18 [years old], she doesn’t catch anything”, Boyd notes, “I also have three other desexed cats. Ariki likes to hang out at the hay barn where he knows there will be mice taking up residence now autumn has arrived.”