New Zealand cat-killing contest vows to keep hunting 'crazy' felines

Wellington: New Zealand s annual cat killing contest plans to expand next year, the event s organiser said Wednesday, describing feral felines as a gr...

Wellington: New Zealand's annual cat-killing contest plans to expand next year, the event's organiser said Wednesday, describing feral felines as a grave threat to native wildlife.

Feral cats prey on endangered birds, bats and lizards, according to New Zealand's department of conservation, and they are blamed for driving some species into extinction.

The latest edition of the competition was held at the weekend in rural North Canterbury, with hunters killing 370 feral cats alongside wild pigs, possums, rats and deer.

It attracted 1,500 hunters, including 460 children who had to be accompanied by adults.

This year, one hunter won a cash prize of NZ$1,000 (US$608) for killing the largest feral cat, which weighed 6.7 kilograms (14.8 pounds).