A group set up to protect native species at Opua State Forest in Northland is blaming runaway pet dogs for the deaths of about 60 kiwis over the last year.
Bay Bush Action posted a photo to its Facebook page, showing dozens of Kiwi corpses, which the group says were killed by dogs who were not kept on a leash.
“Even the most harmless beloved dog can be a killed of a kiwi,” the organisation said in a statement.
“They need to stay on a leash where Kiwis might be.”
Northland has the highest population of Kiwis in the country, but the average life span is just 25 years – 35 years less than that of Kiwi in other parts of the country.
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