DOC on alert for pigeon poachers

Protected kukupa - native wood pigeons - have been shot and killed close to houses near Whangarei, signalling the start of the poaching season.

A member of the public found an injured pigeon with a leg shot off and a bullet hole through its breast, in the Pukenui/Three Mile Bush area on Tuesday. It died later that night.

Department of Conservation staff later found another dead pigeon that had been shot.

Police were notified about firearms being discharged near houses while DOC was stepping up patrols of known pigeon poaching areas.

It is believed the dead birds may have crawled out of sight and lain injured and dying after being shot with a .22 calibre rifle.

DOC compliance and law enforcement coordinator Ross Atkinson said poachers usually shot kukupa in Northland between April and June because they were at their plumpest and nicest to eat.

"This time of the year the pigeons feed on miro berries and build up condition before winter sets in. They become very plump and have always been a sought after food source," he said.

DOC plans to undertake more frequent patrols of known pigeon poaching areas in Northland over the next three months.

Pigeons had to contend with predators such as stoats and wild cats, as well as poachers, putting their existence at threat in Northland, he said.

Their presence in the Northland bush was vital as they were the only bird species capable of swallowing whole the seeds of several native tree species before discharging them in other parts of the bush where they would grow.

Native wood pigeons have been protected since 1921. It is an offence to hunt and kill them. The maximum fine is $100,000 and/or six months in prison.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)