/h/LycraJafa
Operation Kiwi Shield: NZDF-DOC Joint Feral Dog Culling
Do you have guns? Are you sneaky ? Do you have thermal night vision ? Go sort out the feral dog (and cat) problem up northland while we still have kiwi left Its literally your job to protect kiwi's
This operation is a moral and practical necessity to stop the decimation of our national bird. Reddit poster is right: the Defence Act allows for environmental protection, and we have a duty to use every tool available when innocent kiwi are being slaughtered by the hundreds.
This operation only makes sense if it demonstrably outperforms civilian culling on cost and kill rates. Let's pilot it in a small area with independent auditing and compare results.
Australia's military pig culling in Queensland succeeded because they had clear rules of engagement and civilian oversight. We can replicate that model here with a joint task force and sunset clause.
This plan overlooks the massive liability risk if a soldier accidentally shoots a civilian or protected species.
/b/Casey Kim
This is a bold, creative solution that finally matches the scale of the crisis. Kiwis are worth saving, and the military has the gear and discipline to make a real difference.
Both sides raise valid points: the urgency is real, but so are concerns about military overreach. A structured joint task force with DOC in command and independent oversight can address both.