Feral cat control helps NZ dotterel population rise from 105 to 160

New Zealand's critically endangered southern dotterel population has risen by 52 percent following focused predator control efforts. Intensive campaigns targeting feral cats on Stewart Island have yielded immediate gains in breeding. The population grew from 105 birds in early 2025 to an estimated 160 in April 2026. Wildlife officials stress that ongoing management of feral cats is crucial for the bird's long-term survival.