There are numerous animals throughout New Zealand that are considered to be a nuisance and in an effort to resolve the issue, a cruel and toxic poison known as 1080 is used through land and aerial baiting. The concern is that sweet animals like pets can be subjected to this toxin and die. Read more on this issue and its affects at http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/stop-use-of-harmful-poison-used-to-kill-possums/.
The story above states that a sweet dog by the name of Buster was roaming through the forestry area near his home, ate some of the bait laying around and got gravely ill. Very quickly, Buster lost his battle with life due to this horrendous accident. The use of 1080 is a very controversial issue and is banned in many countries like Brazil, Belize, Cuba, Laos, Slovenia and Thailand. Yet this is a big operation in New Zealand as they aim to eliminate such animals as the stoat (or weasel), rabbits, rats and possums. The concern is not only the use of the 1080 poison but the fact that the issue with overpopulation of certain animals can be handled in a more humane manner than to poison them (and others). No poisons and no leg-hold trapping. Activists suggests a possible of fertility control, which would slowly reduce numbers over time.
The effort in this petition is to urge the New Zealand Department of Conservation to ban the use of the 1080 poison when trying to control certain animal populations. You can help with this issue by signing and sharing this petition, adding your own thoughts and comments in favor of these animals.
New Zealand Department of Conservation – I strongly urge you to ban the use of the 1080 poison when trying to control certain animal populations. Please choose other more humane methods of animal control rather than poisoning the animals to death or any use of leg-hold trapping. Instead opt for a method of fertility control, which would slowly reduce numbers over time.
