Twenty-four hours of Easter hunting: the appointment is much awaited in New Zealand and comes back on time every twelve months, when the hunters meet for the hunting hares, an activity that serves to significantly reduce the population. The British newspaper Guardian told what happened in the Oceanian country two days ago, when 10 animals were killed in the Central Otago district, mountainous and cold region of the country. The Easter hunt has existed for 25 years and always takes place on the southern island (South Island) The 2016 edition was characterized by 27 groups composed of 12 hunters each (for a total of 324 Guests).
It should also be remembered that in the total number of wild killed they must be included even ferrets, considered among the main "scourges" of New Zealand. According to reports from Eugene Ferreira, president ofAlexandra Lions Club (the association that organizes the event), this year's figures are worse than those of the previous edition, despite the conditions being excellent (total absence of rain). The team that won the day was Down South, capable of killing 889 hares. The still undefeated record of animals hunted during the holiday appointment is 23 thousand hares.
The hunt began at 9 am on Friday 25 March: as the Guardian himself pointed out, the collection has a greater chance of success at night and at sunset. Many hares will be used as fertilizer, others will become dog food, while a small part will be destined for human consumption, although recipes of this type have become increasingly rare in New Zealand. The animal rights activists have decided to preside over the territory to contest the hunt we are talking about, but they recognized the extent of the devastation caused by the species after its introduction into the territory.
The Easter levy has become fundamental especially for protect the agricultural sector, as hares have become a real threat to crops. Ferreira highlighted how these mammals are responsible for massive erosion of agricultural lands: hunting was found to be the most effective and efficient contrast mode for controlling the number of animals. The introduction of hares in New Zealand dates back to the 800s: the agricultural history of the country is full of events related to completely destroyed and ruined agricultural land, not only in the South Island. The cost of the operation deserves a final mention, given that an expense of tens of millions of dollars was calculated to control losses and other damages.