Death of kiwis angers conservationist | Northland News | Local News in Northland

A native bird expert has spoken out against irresponsible dog owners after three kiwi were killed at the weekend.

Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre manager Robert Webb said one kiwi had been "torn to bits".

Of the three North Island brown kiwi, found in the Kerikeri area, two had been attacked by dogs and one had possibly been run over by a car.

As well as the dead birds, two eggs were smashed, although one was saved and had been placed in an incubator at the recovery centre.

"People couldn't care less about kiwi or any other birds we have," Mr Webb said.   "You can't blame the dog, it's irresponsible owners that are the problem."

It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to be in an area  set aside for wildlife with an unsecured dog, unless the owner has a permit for the dog to be there. The maximum fine is $10,000 or 12 months in prison but Mr Webb said the fines are hardly ever enforced.

Department of Conservation  area manager for Bay of Islands Rolien Elliot said dogs were the single biggest threat to the kiwi population.

A study conducted in the 1990s found 78 per cent of recorded kiwi deaths were caused by dogs, adding kiwi were easy targets for dogs as their scent makes them desirable targets.

The best way to prevent kiwi deaths was to keep dogs locked up at night, so they do not wander when the nocturnal birds were feeding, she said.