Kiwifruit Attacks Sparks Department of Defense Warning for Dog Owners

By RNZ

In recent months, three endangered dead Coromandel brown kiwis have been discovered in Tairua, Whenuakite and Matarangi.

DoC Biodiversity Ranger Mailee Stanbury said that at one stage five dogs were seen roaming the Whenuakite block.

The message to the owners was simple.

“Obey the signs and if an area says do not bring dogs, please be respectful of those signs,” Stanbury said.

“Please keep your dog in sight at all times, know where he is, keep him under control and preferably on a leash or at least verbal control.”

There weren’t many areas in Coromandel closed to dogs and Whenuakite was the only area closed to hunting with dogs, he said.

“So there are a lot of places you can still go with your dog.”

It was not unusual to find kiwi during the day in summer foraging for food, Stanbury said.

“Particularly coming into summer when it’s hot and dry and the ground gets really hard, they may have to forage for food not just at night. They may not have eaten enough at night and are outside during the night. day looking for food and water.

“At any moment, there could be kiwi out there.”

The kiwi had no chance against the dogs, which was their biggest threat, Stanbury said.

“The kiwi actually has a very fragile chest because it can’t fly and it doesn’t have big wing muscles, which means it’s quite vulnerable.”

The DoC suggested that all dog owners who enter kiwi habitat should receive kiwi aversion training for their dog.

It takes about 10 minutes, is free and uses a stuffed mounted kiwi.

“It uses a mild electric shock on a collar that at least reduces the chance of a dog going after a kiwi.”