By NATASHA HARRIS
Hamilton Zoo plans to build a $2.5 million fence to stop cats and dogs from sneaking in and endangering native animals.
Staff frequently catch up to three predators a week. They come from nearby subdivisions and get through the 2.5km-wide mesh boundary fence.
Administration manager Jill Prew said no
animals had been hurt so far but staff were concerned about attacks on native birds and their eggs.
"Zoo keepers are around all day to make sure cats and dogs don't get into animal enclosures, but it's at night-time when the problem may escalate."
Ms Prew said the intrusions were so frequent that staff had made a list of pets living near the zoo so they could be returned to their owners when found. Any strays not on the list were taken to the pound.
"While we have only found the straying animals in the public access area, we don't want to risk the chances of them getting into the zoo's enclosures," she said.
Encroaching subdivisions were bringing more domestic pets into the area, she said.
"Five years ago, the zoo was very rural. Now the homes are relatively close to us and there are still more plans to create subdivisions at Rotokauri Rd.
"Soon the zoo will be surrounded by houses, which is a bit sad - it's going to be like Auckland."
Geoff Bell, a technical adviser from the Gallagher fencing company, which is drawing up plans for the new fence, said it would be electrified at the top, with small mesh to stop even mice getting through.
Ms Prew said the zoo hoped to raise the funds for the fence and have it completed within three years.
Wellington Zoo is also investigating ways to keep stray cats away from the animals.
Suggestions include trimming nearby trees and putting soft wire mesh across the top of boundary fences.
