Toxic sea slugs reach Manukau

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What the sea slugs look like

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 6:20a.m.

The alert for toxic sea slugs found on the shores of Auckland's east coast beaches has now spread to the Manukau Harbour.

One of the slugs has been found on the harbour coastline, and the Auckland Regional Council is warning dog owners to ensure their animals don't eat them.

It says all Auckland beaches should now be considered suspect.

In August and September last year 15 dogs became unwell with symptoms of poisoning from the toxin TTX after eating sea slugs in the Hauraki Gulf.

Six of the dogs died.

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Comments [1]

David

03 Sep 2010 4:33p.m.

These sea slugs haven't "spread" anywhere. This is a common species found throughout the country and it has long been known that they are poisonous, as are most sea slugs - that's how they can get by without a shell. A few dogs get poisoned in quick succession and suddenly it's a big story. Unfortunate, but that's nature for you. I've handled this species plenty of times; as long as you don't stick them in your mouth they won't do you any harm.