Accused drug growers face charges for killing native birds

Two weka birds were allegedly trapped and killed by the men. Photo / File

Two alleged cannabis growers are facing charges for trapping and killing two weka birds and severing the foot of a kiwi on the South Island's West Coast.

The men from Blackball, aged 42 and 52, allegedly ran a large-scale cannabis operation which was protected with several illegal gin traps around their plants.

Two of the traps contained dead and decomposing weka and a third contained the severed foot of a kiwi.

The injured kiwi was later found by Department of Conservation (DoC) staff and taken for veterinary treatment, but died from its injuries.

Gin traps are defined as leg-hold traps and are illegal under the Animal Welfare Act.

The law makes it an offence to use a prohibited trap, without reasonable excuse, for the purpose of killing, managing, entrapping, capturing, entangling, restraining or immobilising an animal.

The arrests follow an investigation launched last month after the cannabis plot was found in dense bush near Blackball.

The area is known for its native inhabitants, which are monitored by DoC.

The men have been jointly charged with possession of cannabis plants for supply, cultivating cannabis and using a prohibited trap.

They were held in custody and will appear in the Greymouth District Court today.

A 51-year-old woman has also been charged with possession of cannabis. She will appear in the Greymouth District Court next month.