In answer to one of your queries
 
>2. Domestic and feral cats and dogs damage the eco system of NZ, as well
>as stoats and feral ferrets.  But because of the 5 leashed ferrets found
>being walked on a beach off of NZ where no ferrets were allowed-the
>public outcry was so great that politicans decided to ban ferrets.  Is
>this correct?
 
The five ferrets that were taken onto an offshore island several weeks
ago might have added to the resolve of the anti-ferret lobby, however the
process that has resulted in this ban has been going on for several years,
and the enabling legislation was (very quietly) introduced to Parliament
last year.  This incident cannot therefore be blamed for the current
situation.
 
John Chessum
Legal Affairs Officer
Ferret PAWS (NZ) Inc
[Posted in FML issue 3742]