Hon Eugenie Sage
Minister of Conservation
Minita mō Te Papa Atawhai
16 October 2018 PĀNUI PĀPĀHO
MEDIA STATEMENT
The Minister of Conservation welcomes the planned start this Thursday, weather permitting, of the Department of
Conservation’s Himalayan tahr control operation following discussion and consultation with hunters and other
stakeholders on the Tahr Liaison Group.
“The target of controlling 10,000 Himalayan tahr over the next eight months remains. The revised plan provides for a
staged control operation with increased reporting to the Tahr Liaison Group. I welcome the progress between DOC,
hunters, Treaty partners and other organisations with an interest in Himalayan tahr on the best way to move forward.”
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said.
“DOC and hunters will now work together to achieve an initial control of 6,000 animals before mid-November to stop the
tahr population from increasing this summer and destroying more of the native plants they feed on. Then DOC will assess
what further action is needed to reach the 10,000 animal target by August 2019 in consultation with the Tahr Liaison
Group.
“Two years of aerial monitoring has shown that the numbers of Himalayan tahr in the mountain lands of the Southern Alps
have ballooned to damaging levels with estimates of more than 35,000 animals. This is more than three times the number
of animals permitted by the long established Himalayan Tahr Control Plan. Urgent action is required to protect our
environment.
“To be very clear though, there is absolutely no plan to eradicate tahr completely. Even after this control work is
done, there will still be thousands of tahr available for guided Himalayan tahr hunting and hunting tourist ventures.
"DOC has been consulting hunters and other stakeholders on the draft operational plan and how to best undertake the
control operation. Their input has been appreciated.
“Finalising the operational plan has involved input from every organisation with an interest in Himalayan tahr through
the Tahr Liaison Group. It has been a constructive and productive effort by all parties,” Eugenie Sage said.
“I am pleased that DOC will be fulfilling its responsibilities to control Himalayan tahr as set out in the Himalayan
Tahr Control Plan 1993.
“Protecting threatened species and nature in general is at the heart of New Zealand’s success. Hunters appreciate how
healthy native vegetation such as the iconic Aoraki/Mt Cook buttercup and snow tussocks are part of an enjoyable
outdoors experience.”
ends