Feral Cat 'Nine Lives' Captured and Killed After Three Years of Endangered Duck Predation in New Zealand

A feral cat dubbed “Nine Lives” that had been preying on the endangered pāteke (brown teal) ducks in New Zealand’s Northland region was finally captured after a three‑year tracking effort. Conservation teams deployed motion‑sensor cameras, live‑capture cages and a variety of baits such as salmon, fried chicken and rabbit meat to locate and trap the elusive predator.

On 30 July the cat entered a newly‑installed cage and was removed alive. It was then humanely shot by project staff, ending its repeated killings of pāteke, kiwi chicks and native reptiles. Project manager Andy Mentor and trap operator Mike Cadogan said the cat’s removal restores the balance of the Pest‑Free Purerua initiative, which aims to protect the region’s fragile ecosystem.

Scientists will now examine the cat’s stomach contents to confirm its diet and use the specimen for educational outreach on the impact of invasive predators.