ORC looking into report of property keeping wallabies

THE Otago Regional Council is investigating a report of a property keeping wallabies in cages in Dunedin, near where one was found last month.

Two weeks ago a video was posted on social media showing one of the marsupials hopping along the side of Whare Flat Rd, near the bottom of Three Mile Hill, before disappearing into the bush.

Following this the Otago Daily

Times received a complaint about a man keeping wallabies in cages on his property in the area, which is illegal.

When informed about the complaint the regional council said it would investigate.

The Otago Daily Times contacted the man yesterday, who denied the allegations, but said he ‘‘used to export wallabies 14 years ago’’.

He would not comment further. Regional council environmental monitoring and operations director Scott MacLean said the council was not aware of anyone in Dunedin keeping wallabies in captivity in the past.

Wallabies were classified as an ‘‘unwanted organism’’ under the Biosecurity Act, he said.

‘‘Anyone in involved in the possession and or distribution of a live wallaby, unless specifically authorised to do so, would be considered in breach of the Biosecurity Act.

‘‘If such an offence was proven, the ORC would undertake enforcement action in accordance with the Biosecurity Act, which provides for fines of up to $100,000 and up to five years’ imprisonment for such an offence,’’ Mr MacLean said.

The council searched for the wallaby after the first sighting, but found nothing.

It requested help from the public regarding any further sightings.