Rod Hansen, from Department of Conservation, Monckton Scenic Reserve, is warning people to stay out of the area until the bull is caught. Photo / Warren Buckland
Rod Hansen, from Department of Conservation, Monckton Scenic Reserve, is warning people to stay out of the area until the bull is caught. Photo / Warren Buckland
Monckton Reserve and Walkway in Central Hawke's Bay has been closed to the public because a dangerous bull is on the loose.
Department of Conservation said checks over the weekend confirmed the bull is camping in the area and the reserve will remain closed until the animal can be captured.
A local farmer's efforts to contain the bull were thwarted at the weekend because the beast simply walked over the fenced area he created.
Conservation Services manager Dave Carlton said the bull poses a big threat to the public.
"Some parts of the track are very narrow with little room to manoeuvre so meeting a bull on the track would be a very dangerous situation," Mr Carlton said.
He said the bull was moving throughout the reserve and that DoC was having difficulty tracking its location. No one has yet come forward to claim ownership of the animal.
Mr Carlton said the owner has 14 days to contact DoC or the bull would be destroyed.
Charolais Breeders New Zealand Vice President Simon Collin said it was amazing no one knew who the animal belonged to.
"They will eventually find out who the owner is when they catch the bull dead or alive, the tags don't lie."
Mr Collin suggested a local farmer should get some cattle in the reserve to team up with the bull and muster him back home.
The local farming community had been alerted to watch out for the bull. However, the process for trespassing illegal stock has been started and this will allow the department to deal with the animal if no one claims it, Mr Carlton said.
Anyone with information should contact the Department of Conservation urgently on 06-8343-111.
