The seven kiwi mauled by dogs in the Opua State Forest over the last two weeks has made headlines. Unfortunately however, they are just the tip of the iceberg.
Uncontrolled dogs attacking kiwi is an ongoing Northland wide issue. Over the last 6 months alone, 31 kiwi are known to have died in Northland. 24 were mauled by dogs and 7 were struck by cars. The most recent death was reported within the last 24 hours and is now being investigated by the Department of Conservation.
Kiwi deaths over last 6 months:
- Kaitaia – 4 – mauled by dogs
- Kerikeri Peninsula – 2 vehicle strike
- Purerua Peninsula – 6 – mauled by dogs, 2 vehicle strike
- Puketotara – 1 – vehicle strike
- Haruru Falls – 1 – mauled by dogs
- Opua – 7 – mauled by dogs
- Tahere – 1 – mauled by dogs
- Whangarei Heads – 3 mauled by dogs, 2 vehicle strike
- Hikurangi – 1, reported 8/8/23 – with DOC to be sent for necropsy
- Tutukaka – 1, reported 10/8/23 – to be picked up and taken for necropsy
When possible, the kiwi were sent to Massey University for independent necropsy. The findings make grim reading, detailing bruising, lacerations, skin wound sizes from dog teeth, broken limbs from being shaken and haemorrhaging from lung punctures.
The frustration for many communities is that kiwi recovery has been a Northland conservation success story. While nationally kiwi are estimated to be declining at rate of 2% per annum, Northland kiwi are thriving where there is sustained, effective pest control in place and good dog control. One Landcare Research study found that Northland had not just reversed the decline of kiwi to stabilise the population, but estimated that overall, the Northland kiwi population was now increasing, bucking the national trend.
Kiwi Coast Coordinator Ngaire Sullivan said “Northland kiwi are thriving where there is good predator control in place and good dog control. Mostly we are getting it right. but the recent spate of kiwi killed by dogs suggest that we’ve slipped.”
The seven kiwi mauled by dogs at Opua over the past two weeks has devastated the local community. Brad Windust, from Bay Bush Action in Opua, said:
“When we founded Bay Bush Action in 2011, no kiwi were heard in this area – not one. You can imagine the excitement when we first heard a call! One by one, year after year, they have slowly increased until there were at least 22 birds. It’s terrifying to think how quickly that painstaking work can be undone through careless dog ownership. Our volunteers have spent over 12 years and countless hours of hard work building kiwi numbers up. To have this happen is heartbreaking.”
In places with no predator control, stoats kill 95% of kiwi chicks before they reach one year old. However in Northland there is a strong history of Kiwi Coast, Department of Conservation, Northland Regional Council, Save the Kiwi Trust and QEII National Trust working closely with hapū and communities to help them control pests and care for kiwi. Over the last ten years, Kiwi Coast has linked it all together into a regionwide network involving 225 entities controlling pests over 251,000ha across Northland. In these areas, kiwi chicks have a higher survival rate and can go on to live and breed till 50 – 60 years of age.
All but one of the kiwi found mauled by dogs over the last six months was wild-born (not released). Most were also over 1kg in weight – the weight at which kiwi can fight off a stoat. Thanks to pest control they had survived their crucial first year and some were large, breeding adults, contributing to building Northland’s kiwi population.
To complement the pest control however, dedicated dog ownership is needed. Ideally, a dog should never come into contact with kiwi. While that is challenging with many Northland kiwi living on private properties, committed dog owners like those at the Whangarei Heads have proven it can be done.
Todd Hamilton, Backyard Kiwi Project Manager and professional trapper said:
“After two decades of pest control and good dog control at Whangarei Heads our kiwi have increased from 80 to over 1130. Thanks to all the great dog owners out there doing their bit – even when it’s not easy. Taking good care of our dogs, walking them on a lead and keeping them contained at night or when we are not with them has been key to our kiwi success story. However, picking up three dead kiwi mauled by dogs in the last couple of weeks has been devastating and shows that we can’t get complacent.”
The recent increase in adult kiwi deaths across Northland could also be due to the colder weather and current time of dusk around 5.30pm. Dogs that have been well contained during the day may be let out for a run when people get home from work. Darkness and colder weather may mean the dog is let out by themselves rather than being accompanied and kept under control.
Lesley Baigent, retired vet and Far North Kiwi Coast Coordinator said:
“Kiwi are so exciting to a dog. Their smell is extremely interesting, they run, they are in unexpected places. So watch your dog, train it well, keep it safe and contained. Walk them on a lead, especially if you live in a kiwi area.”
