Elusive 'Nine Lives' cat, blamed for killing rare birds, captured and euthanized in New Zealand

A three-year hunt for a notoriously elusive wild cat in New Zealand has ended with its capture and euthanasia. The cat, nicknamed "Nine Lives" for its repeated escapes from traps and conservationists, became a national figure due to its predation on rare wildlife.

The feline, described as large and grey-mottled, operated on the Purerua Peninsula on the North Island. Conservationists had begun reintroducing the rare pateke-duckling species to the area. Within a week of releasing the first birds, a dead duckling was found. Surveillance cameras quickly identified the culprit, whose distinctive markings made it recognizable.

Over three years, "Nine Lives" is estimated to have killed dozens of pateke-ducklings, representing about one percent of the species' entire population. Its prey also reportedly included kiwi chicks, local geckos, and other native New Zealand species. Andy Mentor, head of the Pest Free Purerua project, described the cat's unpredictability, stating it would appear at random times and disappear for months, making it nearly impossible to catch.

Despite capturing other wild cats, "Nine Lives" always evaded them, earning its moniker. In late July, conservationists noticed the cat visiting a quarry for three consecutive nights. They set traps baited with salmon, fried chicken, and rabbit meat. On July 30, a trap sensor alerted them that a cage had closed. The elusive cat was finally caught and humanely euthanized.

Scientists are now examining the cat's stomach contents to gain a precise understanding of its recent diet. After these studies, the cat will be preserved for educational purposes, highlighting the impact of feral cats on New Zealand's native ecosystems.

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He appeared completely unpredictably. Sometimes he was seen on video camera at dusk, then at midnight or even at noon. Sometimes he disappeared for two or three months. There was no pattern, which made him almost impossible to catch.