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