Date Time
Conservation dogs sniff out trouble as yachting fans flock to islands
The potential risk more America’s Cup spectators bring to pest free islands in the Hauraki Gulf is being tackled head-on by conservation dogs from DOC and Auckland Council with the support of Kiwibank.
The Hauraki Gulf has 47 pest-free islands which are home to threatened native species including takahē, Coromandel brown kiwi, tīeke/saddleback, pōpokotea/whitehead, tūturuatu/shore plover and pāteke/brown teal.
Rats getting established on these islands would be devastating to the vulnerable bird populations.
DOC Pest Detection Dog Ranger Hannah Johnston says an increased number of rangers and dog handlers will be present on the islands during America’s Cup race days to detect any pests spectators may bring in from their boats and/or cargo.