Subdivision bans cats

Hamilton: Cats will be banned in a future Hamilton subdivision, based on a court ruling designed to protect native bats that are approaching extinction.

The felineunfriendly measures were recommended by the Environment Court for the planned 105ha Amberfield development, to be located near the western bank of the Waikato River in Peacocke.

Such a ban is believed to be the first of its kind in an urban environment, and aims to protect the nationally critical pekapeka/longtailed bats.

Cats are among the main predators of New Zealand’s bats, the country’s only native mammals, along with possums, rats and stoats. — The New Zealand Herald