Charles Daugherty
Emeritus Professor of Ecology, VUW

Date: Thursday 10 November at 7.30pm
Venue: National Aquarium, Marine Parade, Napier
Admission: Gold coin donation

Gareth Morgan ignited a storm of controversy when he proposed a strict regime of cat management as a key element in conserving New Zealand’s declining native wildlife. Four years on, the conservation landscape has evolved considerably. Charles – a wary cat owner himself – discusses latest developments in cat management in New Zealand and internationally, as well as implications of the Predator Free New Zealand movement for cat ownership and management.

Charles has recently retired to Hawke’s Bay after 34 years at Victoria University of Wellington. His research focused on the ecology, genetics and conservation of indigenous birds and reptiles, especially tuatara.   He worked with the Department of Conservation to rescue rare populations of tuatara and return them to their home islands, once they had been made safe by rat eradication.

Charles has been a trustee of Zealandia, and is now a Director of Zero Invasive Predators Ltd and a Trustee of Predator Free New Zealand.