A pest control programme on land near Lake Wanaka has eradicated almost 700 pests - including a cat compared in size to a panther - in little more than a year.
The 300ha of land includes the 49ha Glendhu Bluffs Conservation Area and adjacent privately owned land, such as the exclusive Emerald Bluffs subdivision.
The tally of 696 pests eradicated by the end of December comprised 300 rabbits, 217 possums, 45 cats, 34 hedgehogs, 33 stoats, 20 rats, 12 hares, nine mice and five ferrets.
The work is being done by Doug Beech of Matukituki Natives, who said "pockets" of rabbits attracted predators such as cats and stoats.
He described cat numbers as "quite scary" because he had cat traps on only one 40ha property. The cats became "quite cunning" and were difficult to catch once they became wary of a trap.