Snow leopard sanctuary an outlandish idea says Feds

Snow leopard sanctuary an outlandish idea says Feds

Source: Federated Farmers

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Federated Farmers is stunned to learn of a proposal to introduce a snow leopard sanctuary in the South Island High Country.

The Ministry for the Environment has been petitioned by a Hastings man, who is inviting a private landowner to give up their land to create a safe haven for the endangered species.

"This idea, with all due respect, is outlandish and just plain crazy. It’s a poorly thought out concept, " says Federated Farmers’ Environment Spokesperson Chris Allen.

"As a High Country farmer you’d be worried about your livestock and your own welfare for that matter, this would actually become a health and safety issue.

"The truly worst case scenario for any farmer is a rogue animal on their property or nearby."

Federated Farmers trusts the Ministry will make a sensible decision and banish this idea. Its widely acknowledged that snow leopards are a pest to landowners in Mongolia - as they are known to attack livestock.

ENDS

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