Dogs take grim toll on kiwi

HEAVY LOSS: Seven Far North kiwi that will not be contributing to the national bird's future.

Champions of the kiwi in the Far North are concerned by the number of birds that have been killed by a dog or dogs around Kerikeri over the last two months.

At least seven kiwi had now been found dead in the Wharau Road area, east of Kerikeri, between May 20 and July 8. Massey University vets had confirmed that the first two to be found were killed by dogs, while the others had injuries consistent with dog attacks.

The Department of Conservation and the Far North District Council are now working with the community to identify any uncontrolled dogs in the area.

FNDC general manager of district services Dean Myburgh said the council deplored the killing of kiwi, and its animal control services were always available to help apprehend dogs that were a danger to them.

Animal control officers had been assisting DOC with its inquiries, and, through property checks, had accounted for about 15 'new' dogs. Officers have also spoken to several dog owners in the area, and set a live capture dog trap in the Wharau Road area in a bid to prevent attacks on kiwi.

"I would urge anyone who sees a dog that is threatening kiwi to call (09) 401-5200 or our 24-hour service line, 0800 920-029. and we will dispatch animal control staff to apprehend the dog," Mr Myburgh said.

Mike Thompson, spokesman for the South Kerikeri Inlet Landcare (SKIL) kiwi conservation group, said his organisation was working hard at controlling pests to create a habitat in which kiwi could survive and thrive.

"Our group is extremely disappointed that an uncontrolled dog, or dogs, has been allowed to devastate our healthy population of breeding kiwi," he said.

"Bay of Islands residents are fortunate to have kiwi right on our doorstep. We have passionate individuals who really care about these kiwi. But we can only do so much. Your dog is your responsibility. Simple."

DOC Bay of Islands services manager Rolien Elliot said kiwi were a living treasure that weren't found anywhere else in the world. It was DOC's role to protect them, and it was doing everything it could to identify the dog or dogs responsible.

"Any dog can kill a kiwi, and it's well documented that the main cause of death to adult kiwi in Northland is dogs. This is about responsible pet ownership. If you live in a kiwi zone, and you own a dog, tie it up," she said.

Michelle Impey, executive director of Kiwis for kiwi, which supports community-led kiwi conservation projects, said dog attacks were extremely frustrating, as they were totally preventable.

"All across New Zealand we're fighting a battle in the bush, trying to knock down pest and predator numbers so that kiwi have a good chance of survival. An uncontrolled dog undoes all that good work," she said.

"The solution is in our hands. Dog owners have to control their dogs in areas where kiwi live. Or even better, keep their dogs out of kiwi zones."