DOC generally appears to have no ears, no heart but an iron fist. They come across as relentless in their various conservation missions and too arrogant to consider there could be two sides to a story. To cull a species you first need to know the numbers which DOC obviously does not.Betty Rowe has battled for many years to have the goats protected as a rare and historic species, many other organisations national and international have come out in support of Betty and the Arapawa Island goats. Surely a solution could be found that would provide a win-win situation. The public perception of DOC and their heavy handed ways, could certainly be improved if they offered to fence rather than shoot. I hope through your story more people will be made aware of the situation and get involved.
Part 2)DoC “generously” postponed their next cull until September to allow time for the capture and relocation of some of the goats. That is simply not possible at this time of year. Goats will either be heavily pregnant or with tiny babies at foot as DoC well knows. A muster would be cruel and stressful, and possibly dangerous weatherwise to the people involved as winter approaches and daylight hours shorten. It had already been agreed DoC would not cull at this time of year.WHY can’t DoC liaise and work with the people involved? Betty Rowe and her late husband Walt recognised the historical and genetic importance of these animals and have fought to save them for over 35 years. They established a 300 acre wildlife sanctuary for the rare goats, sheep and pigs. Betty and her NZ Rare Breed colleagues have repeatedly requested dialogue and stated they are willing to liaise to find a sensible solution to protect both the animals and the flora of Arapawa Island but DoC will not co-operate. Their attitude continues to be both arrogant and ignorant.Thousands of people visit Arapawa Island annually to see the rare and historic animals that live there. There are regular parties of schoolchildren. What a golden opportunity for education about fauna & flora, geography and world history. If DoC had any common sense at all it would grab this opportunity with both hands. It would assist,support & encourage these visitors. Contributing towards upgrading fencing and helping to move some of the goats as opposed to killing them would give DoC a much improved public image worldwide. If only they could remove their blinkers, see what they are doing and understand what they are missing out on. We live in hope.
Part 1)The plight of Arapawa goats is being watched by Rare Breeds(NZ/USA/UK), goat societies and concerned individuals around the globe. DNA shows they are a distinct breed.Captain Cook left a pair of breeding goats on Arapawa in 1777 and King George III donated goats/other livestock as gifts to NZ people.NZ has a shocking reputation for killing rare breeds on the grounds of not being native. In the case of Arapawa goats they occupy a small part of this large island and have co-existed for over 230 years alongside rare flora. Goats are browsers. Unlike sheep/pigs they nibble bits here and there. They do not destroy vegetation as DoC claim.Interestingly the video footage of damage done by goats is a hilltop track/roadway! Local people say the bush has regenerated and vegetation improved since cattle went. Part of the reserve is fenced so examples of rare flora are not under threat. The last detailed botanical plant life check was 1984. Confirmed by DoC Mch 2008. So why the paranoia about a few goats?DoC have not done a census. A recent visit counted just five. Visitors say there are very few goats seen. With only 300 Arapawas worldwide their existence is threatened. A hardy feral herd is vital to support those in captivity.A petition of 1300 signatures and hundreds of letters/emails have been sent to the Prime Minister and Minister for Conservation. Most have received a standard response about protecting rare flora. With a fenced off rare plants/forest area they still feel justified in killing rare livestock. Legal Advisor to the Rare Breeds Conservation Society (NZ) is barrister & solicitor Simon Reeves. An expert on the UN Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). He has written to the Minister of Conservation setting out the case for protecting/preserving gene bases of endangered native/other mammals in NZ, with special reference to Arapawa goats. He clarifies the NZ government’s responsibilities under the 1992 United Nations CBD.Can DoC ignore this?