Conservationists disgusted at 'heartbreaking' kiwi killing

Conservationists are disgusted at a person whose dog killed two kiwi - and then deliberately cut off one of their transmitters. Photo / Wendy Sporle

Conservationists are disgusted at a person whose dog killed two kiwi that were a crucial part of a breeding population - and then deliberately cut off one of their transmitters.

The two Coromandel brown kiwi were found dead at Port Charles on the Coromandel two months ago but it is only now that the transmitters and straps have returned from DNA testing, that it has been confirmed dogs were the cause of death.

Lettecia Williams, chairperson for Moehau Environment Group, a non-profit volunteer kiwi and environmental conservation organisation on Northern Coromandel Peninsula, said the loss was devastating to the local community and to the wider kiwi conservation groups.

"We have worked so hard over the last 14 years to make our environment safe for kiwi to live and breed and the community has invested an enormous amount of time, energy and money into this project," she said.

"These two adult birds would have lived to 50 years of age and contributed significantly to the kiwi population but now their lives have been cut short by a careless dog owner.

"It is heartbreaking and totally unacceptable."

The transmitters emit a "mortality beep" when there is no movement from the kiwi, which is how the kiwi were recovered and confirmed predated.

Upon discovery of the two birds in April, it was evident one transmitter had been cut off and removed deliberately.

While the DNA testing confirmed a dog was the culprit, it unfortunately did not reveal the dog owner's identity.

Kiwi for Kiwis executive director Michelle Impey,said the impact of the loss of the two birds would be felt far and wide.

"These two kiwi were heroes of our new strategy and were destined for great things," Impey said.

"Our goal to reverse the two per cent decline and increase the kiwi population by two per cent is based on creating a breeding population of kiwi on Motutapu Island, the kōhanga kiwi site for Coromandel brown kiwi.

"The offspring of these two were heading to Motutapu Island to play a major role in breeding future generations of kiwi."

Impey described the killings as "needless and irresponsible".

"Dogs should not be taken into kiwi zones, and most definitely not left to wander off-lead.

"If a dog must be in the bush where there are kiwi, there is an option to have dogs kiwi-averse trained."

Training was offered by various people around the country and the group pleaded with dog owners to do this as an added precaution.

"Any dog, no matter what the size or breed has the potential to kill kiwi as they have a delicate bone structure," Impey said.

"We know the dog has an owner as they removed the transmitter and we would now like that person or anyone who knows who they are, to get in touch with us."