Black-billed gulls are endemic to New Zealand and in rapid decline, the Department of Conservation says. Photo / Supplied
Black-billed gulls are endemic to New Zealand and in rapid decline, the Department of Conservation says. Photo / Supplied
A North Canterbury man who repeatedly drove a digger through a large bird colony, destroying their nests, has been fined $6000.
Clive Gordon drove a utility vehicle and a 14-tonne digger through a nesting colony of about 1000 tarāpuka/black-billed gulls on his property in Belfast, North Canterbury, on November 20 and 21 of last year. Tārapuka is a protected bird species.
A crushed black-billed gull egg, destroyed by a digger, November 2023. Photo / Department of Conservation
According to a statement released today, Gordon was prosecuted by the Department of Conservation, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced in court today, copping a $6000 fine.
DoC staff found the colony abandoned, with several dead chicks, broken eggs, and wrecked nests, following a tip from the public.
DoC Mahaanui operations manager Andy Thompson said the incident is particularly confronting due to the scale of the disturbance and the resulting deaths.
A dead, black-billed gull chick after its nest was destroyed by a digger. Photo / Department of Conservation
“A colony of this size being abandoned due to disturbance is a significant blow for a species which is declining faster than it can breed,” Thompson said.
Tārapuka (black-billed gulls) are endemic to New Zealand, meaning they’re only found here. Despite being frequently seen, the gulls are at risk and declining.
“Habitat loss, introduced predators, weed encroachment, and disturbance, all threaten their continued survival,” said Thompson.
He also emphasised that the department will “respond very seriously to any incident like this one”.
“While DoC accepts Mr Gordon did not know black-billed gulls are protected, ignorance of the species’ protected status is not an excuse,” he said.
Black-billed gulls are endemic to New Zealand and in rapid decline, the Department of Conservation says. Photo / Supplied
“This incident was repeated, deliberate, and shocking in extent, smashing nests with the tracks and bucket of a 14-tonne digger.”
Thompson said he hopes public awareness of black-billed gulls and their protected status increases.
”Black-billed gulls/tarāpuka are absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act and it is illegal to disturb, harm, or kill them,” he said.
Disturbing protected birds and destroying nests is an offence under the Wildlife Act 1953 and can result in imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000.
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