Chris Short ... refuses to come down from the mountain.
The friends and family of Mr Short are today deciding how to persuade him to end his solo mountain vigil.
Short climbed up the mountainside with a handful of provisions on Sunday.
He told friends this week he will not return home until the anti-1080 documentary, Poisoning Paradise – Ecocide in New Zealand, is shown on television.
Short hit the headlines and was jailed for two years in 1995 after hijacking a helicopter at gunpoint and making the pilot drop him on the mountain to highlight his fight against 1080.
Friends say Short has chosen the same mountainside spot to make what may be his last stand against the poison.
Hunting partner, Martin Ellis, walked in to check on Short's health and supplies yesterday.
He said Short, who is wearing a protective helicopter suit, has a few days food, but refused a tent, sleeping bag and further supplies.
His friend of 35-years is not in good health, but was in good spirits, he said.
Ellis said Short did not have any firearms in his possession.
"This is a peaceful protest."
Ellis said his friend, an experienced hunter and bushman, was an "awesome guy" who loved the bush, but hated 1080.
"A turning point from him was when he was caught in a 1080 drop and that night listened to animals screaming around him as they died," said Ellis.
Leanne Short, said she knew where her husband had gone when he left the house on Sunday to buy milk and did not return.
She wants to try and get him off the mountain, or get in touch with him today.
Taupo District Council mayor, Rick Cooper, said he has told local police about the situation, but asked them not to do anything.
"This guy has been in the bush all his life – he is passionate about it and extremely passionate about 1080.
"The helicopter thing was just a statement – this is a passionate plea."
Clyde Graf, who produced the anti-1080 documentary with his brother Steve, said Short had courage and seemed determined.
"Everyone has their own way of doing things.
"He's a bushman - he's seen what happens out there when 1080's dropped and what it does." [rc]
Copyright © 2009. Fairfax Digital
August 26, 2009
NEW ZEALAND: Poisoning paradise - Dying campaigner's last stand
.
SYDNEY, Australia / The Sydney Morning Herald / World / stuff.co.nz / August 26, 2009
A terminally-ill hunter, who is passionately opposed to New Zealand use of the pesticide 1080, is threatening to die on Mt Tongariro.
Cancer sufferer Chris Short, 50, from Taupo, is believed to have only a few weeks left to live.
But he refuses to come down from the mountain until an anti-1080 documentary is televised nationally.
Chris Short ... refuses to come down from the mountain.
The friends and family of Mr Short are today deciding how to persuade him to end his solo mountain vigil.
Short climbed up the mountainside with a handful of provisions on Sunday.
He told friends this week he will not return home until the anti-1080 documentary, Poisoning Paradise – Ecocide in New Zealand, is shown on television.
Short hit the headlines and was jailed for two years in 1995 after hijacking a helicopter at gunpoint and making the pilot drop him on the mountain to highlight his fight against 1080.
Friends say Short has chosen the same mountainside spot to make what may be his last stand against the poison.
Hunting partner, Martin Ellis, walked in to check on Short's health and supplies yesterday.
He said Short, who is wearing a protective helicopter suit, has a few days food, but refused a tent, sleeping bag and further supplies.
His friend of 35-years is not in good health, but was in good spirits, he said.
Ellis said Short did not have any firearms in his possession.
"This is a peaceful protest."
Ellis said his friend, an experienced hunter and bushman, was an "awesome guy" who loved the bush, but hated 1080.
"A turning point from him was when he was caught in a 1080 drop and that night listened to animals screaming around him as they died," said Ellis.
Leanne Short, said she knew where her husband had gone when he left the house on Sunday to buy milk and did not return.
She wants to try and get him off the mountain, or get in touch with him today.
Taupo District Council mayor, Rick Cooper, said he has told local police about the situation, but asked them not to do anything.
"This guy has been in the bush all his life – he is passionate about it and extremely passionate about 1080.
"The helicopter thing was just a statement – this is a passionate plea."
Clyde Graf, who produced the anti-1080 documentary with his brother Steve, said Short had courage and seemed determined.
"Everyone has their own way of doing things.
"He's a bushman - he's seen what happens out there when 1080's dropped and what it does." [rc]
Copyright © 2009. Fairfax Digital
Chris Short ... refuses to come down from the mountain.
The friends and family of Mr Short are today deciding how to persuade him to end his solo mountain vigil.
Short climbed up the mountainside with a handful of provisions on Sunday.
He told friends this week he will not return home until the anti-1080 documentary, Poisoning Paradise – Ecocide in New Zealand, is shown on television.
Short hit the headlines and was jailed for two years in 1995 after hijacking a helicopter at gunpoint and making the pilot drop him on the mountain to highlight his fight against 1080.
Friends say Short has chosen the same mountainside spot to make what may be his last stand against the poison.
Hunting partner, Martin Ellis, walked in to check on Short's health and supplies yesterday.
He said Short, who is wearing a protective helicopter suit, has a few days food, but refused a tent, sleeping bag and further supplies.
His friend of 35-years is not in good health, but was in good spirits, he said.
Ellis said Short did not have any firearms in his possession.
"This is a peaceful protest."
Ellis said his friend, an experienced hunter and bushman, was an "awesome guy" who loved the bush, but hated 1080.
"A turning point from him was when he was caught in a 1080 drop and that night listened to animals screaming around him as they died," said Ellis.
Leanne Short, said she knew where her husband had gone when he left the house on Sunday to buy milk and did not return.
She wants to try and get him off the mountain, or get in touch with him today.
Taupo District Council mayor, Rick Cooper, said he has told local police about the situation, but asked them not to do anything.
"This guy has been in the bush all his life – he is passionate about it and extremely passionate about 1080.
"The helicopter thing was just a statement – this is a passionate plea."
Clyde Graf, who produced the anti-1080 documentary with his brother Steve, said Short had courage and seemed determined.
"Everyone has their own way of doing things.
"He's a bushman - he's seen what happens out there when 1080's dropped and what it does." [rc]
Copyright © 2009. Fairfax Digital
