Pest Animal Factsheet
BENGAL CATS
Large forest birds such as Kiwi, Weka and
Kereru are also at risk from Bengal cats.
Male Bengal cats spray-mark their territory
in a similar way to domestic cats, however,
their spray is 10 times more potent in smell
and almost impossible to remove.
Pest Classification
Bengal cats are classified as an Exclusion
animal throughout Southland region.
Strategy Rules
Bengal Cat
Introduction
Bengal cats have come from cross-breeding
the forest dwelling wild Asian leopard with
domestic cats.
They have a long and lean, substantial body
size, with males weighing between 4-9 kg,
and females about 4-5 kg.
Bengal cats have a fascination with water
and are excellent climbers with the ability
to leap much higher than the common New
Zealand domestic cat.
What is the problem?
Bengal cats have the potential to breed with
existing feral cat populations. Bengal cat
hybrids are larger than normal feral cats and
are capable of predating on native species
too large for normal feral cats.
Bengal cats pose a threat to the
conservation of New Zealand’s protected
species. They are excellent climbers and
love water so pose a threat to coastal,
estuarine, and riverine species such as
dotterel, pukeko, native water fowl, wading
birds and penguins.
1. No person shall sell, offer for sale,
propagate or release any Bengal cat or
their hybrids within the Southland region.
2. No person shall possess any Bengal cat
or its hybrid on Stewart Island/Rakiura,
or any other island.
3. All Bengal cats within Southland are
required to be neutered.
4. A permit is required from Environment
Southland to hold or transport any
Bengal cat or its hybrid in the Southland
region.
5. Permitted owners of any Bengal cat are
required to identify their animal/s by way
of an implanted microchip.
6. Every person who sees any Bengal
cat, or suspects that any Bengal cat is
present in Southland, must immediately
report the sighting or possible presence
to Environment Southland.
Advice & Information
To find out more information contact:
Biosecurity Officer
Environment Southland
Private Bag 90116, Invercargill
Phone
03 211 5115
Toll free
0800 76 88 45
Fax
03 211 5252
E-mail
[email protected]
Website
www.es.govt.nz