New Plan for Wapiti Management Faces Opposition from Conservationists

A draft management plan proposing to designate wapiti as a herd of special interest (HOSI) has sparked controversy among conservation groups in New Zealand. Released by the government on Saturday, the plan is currently open for public submissions. This proposal aims to enhance monitoring of the introduced species, but critics argue it falls short in addressing the broader issues of wildlife management.

Roy Sloan, general manager of the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, expressed support for the plan, stating that it represents a minimal change to existing regulations. He emphasized that increased monitoring could benefit both the wapiti population and the surrounding ecosystem. According to Sloan, the foundation’s approach exemplifies effective deer management in the country.

In stark contrast, Scott Burnett, regional conservation manager for Forest & Bird, vehemently opposed the proposal. He described the draft management plan as “a bit of a joke,” criticizing it for lacking detail on effective monitoring strategies. Burnett raised concerns that the management of ungulates, including deer, goats, and pigs, is becoming increasingly uncoordinated, resulting in negative impacts on native forests and agricultural land.

Burnett highlighted the need for a comprehensive strategy similar to those implemented for managing other invasive species like wallabies and wilding conifers. He warned that establishing herds of special interest could set a dangerous precedent, potentially normalizing the presence of wapiti on conservation land. This, he argues, would empower hunting advocates to resist population control efforts elsewhere.

While acknowledging the role of recreational hunting, Burnett insisted that it alone cannot manage the growth of these species effectively. He called for national leadership to address the challenges posed by increasing ungulate populations. The group is particularly wary of the potential inclusion of other species, such as white-tailed deer and Himalayan tahr, in future HOSI proposals.

Burnett pointed to the 1993 control plan for Himalayan tahr as a cautionary tale. The plan established a maximum population limit, which has never been achieved. He noted that current estimates suggest the feral tahr population could be three times above the agreed threshold, demonstrating the shortcomings of hunter-led management.

He stated, “If it could work, it should have worked, and it’s not.” Burnett argued that before endorsing any new initiatives, there must be evidence of effective management practices that can genuinely control these populations.

Additionally, he criticized the notion that hunters could solely fund conservation efforts related to the species they hunt, calling it unrealistic. While he acknowledged the difficulty in completely eliminating wapiti from the landscape, he stressed the importance of implementing control measures to protect native vegetation.

The draft management plan and the response it has elicited from conservationists highlight the ongoing tensions between wildlife management strategies and conservation efforts in New Zealand. As public submissions are invited, the future of wapiti management remains uncertain, with stakeholders on both sides of the issue poised to make their voices heard.