Date:  27 September 2019

Darrell Haworth, Senior Ranger in the Greymouth Areas says around Greymouth, there are many species of bird which can be disturbed, or even injured or killed by dogs, and people should heed no dog signs when they are entering public conservation land.

“Around the Greymouth Area, dogs have been reported by members of the public in no-dog areas at Point Elizabeth, Te Kinga, Kirwans, Trent Tutaekuri, Rahu Reserve, and in the Lewis Pass. 

“The signs are there for a reason – we have great spotted kiwi in the Paparoas and around Lake Brunner, and coastal species such as Little Blue Penguins are also at risk from dogs. “The Paparoa Wildlife Trust protect and manage a portion of this Great Spotted Kiwi population by predator trapping and monitoring, and a single loose dog can undo years of progress on growing these vulnerable populations.

“Dogs can easily kill ground birds, who have no means of escape. Birds nesting on the ground and their eggs and offspring are also particularly vulnerable during springtime.”

People can take dogs into some conservation areas with a permit which is freely available from the Greymouth DOC office.

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