The NZ Tahr Foundation says it is disappointed at the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) decision to press ahead with the majority of the 2020-21 Tahr Control Operational Plan and concerned about the integrity of DOC’s decision-making process.

DOC released its revised Tahr Operational Plan for 2020/21 on September 1, as ordered by the High Court in July following a request for a judicial review by the New Zealand Tahr Foundation.

The High Court decision by Justice Dobson granted DOC permission to undertake 125 hours of its 250-hour tahr control programme but it was ordered to consult with interest groups such as the Tahr Foundation, Game Animal Council and Forest and Bird before it could go ahead with the second stage.

Tahr are found in the central Southern Alps between about Lake Hawea in the south to the Rakaia and Whitcombe valleys in the north.

The NZ Tahr Foundation says the revised plan, and DOC’s decision to continue its cull, is not good enough.

“DOC’s revised control plan is for the most part exactly the same as their original plan, the same amount of culling hours, still targeting eradication in national parks, [is] not science-based And [is] still ignoring critical parts of the Himalayan Tahr Control Plan 1993 which sets out how tahr should be properly managed,” spokesperson Willie Duley said.

DOC operations director Dr Ben Reddiex said DOC analysed oral and written submissions from 14 stakeholders before making its decision and releasing the finalised plan.

“With an open mind we have considered a wide range of submissions from groups and individuals representing the interests of recreational and commercial tahr hunters, as well as conservationists, recreationists and statutory bodies,” he said.

“While DOC considered each request from stakeholders, the finalised Operational Plan will not be able to completely satisfy all stakeholders, as submitters sought very different outcomes.”

DOC was commencing another 132 hours of aerial control inside the feral range, Ben said.

“In the national parks we are legally required to reduce the number of tahr to the lowest practicable densities and it’s important we protect and preserve these special areas for New Zealand’s native species.”

Willie said there was a better middle ground - managing a low population of tahr in Aoraki/Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks, which he said would still protect alpine ecosystems while allowing for a viable and valuable hunting resource.

“...[DOC’s] decision not only impacts the thousands of recreational tahr hunters that love hunting in our national parks but it will adversely affect the guided hunting industry as well as the hunting retail, accommodation, travel and hospitality sectors and their local communities,” he said.

PHOTO: Supplied