Release of deer ‘eco terrorism’

Claims by a government department that opponents of 1080 pesticide have illegally released deer into Taranaki forests have been rubbished by a conservation group.

The Department of Conservation alleges at least 30 sika deer have been released into forests in North Taranaki and windows in a staff member’s private vehicle were smashed in retaliation against the use of 1080 in the region.

‘‘Some people opposed to 1080 operations have been voicing their displeasure, as is their right,’’ DOC director-general Lou Sanson said.

‘‘Lawful protest is fine but potentially putting people’s lives at risk with irrational behaviour has to stop before someone is hurt.’’

Sanson, who described the actions as ‘‘eco-terrorism at its worst’’, said an anonymous letter writer informed the department several weeks ago the release was in retaliation to the use of 1080, demanded its use be stopped and threatened further action could be taken if it wasn’t.

The actions were also condemned by the Taranaki Regional Council and Federated Farmers, although neither organisation had pointed the finger at 1080 activists.

Chris Wilkes, founder of the 100 Percent Pure Taranaki Society, said while there may have been a release of deer, DOC had no solid evidence 1080 activists were involved.

‘‘They are actually blaming the anti-1080 movement and I think that that is absolutely ridiculous,’’ Wilkes said.

‘‘I know damn near every 1080 activist or person who opposes that stuff and that’s not what an anti-1080 person would do.’’

Wilkes claimed DOC’s allegations that 1080 activists were behind the release was an attempt to discredit anyone who was against the use of the pesticide.

He believed the anonymous letter could even have been sent by someone attempting to make protesters out to be a radical group.

‘‘This is a desperate move by DOC to try and undermine the credibility of the anti-1080 movement.’’

He said it would have been virtually impossible to live capture that number of deer, so he believed they had been bought from a farm and could be traced.

Sanson said he was ‘‘disgusted by the behaviour’’.

‘‘The illegal release is the action of selfish and short-sighted individuals working against the aspirations of many thousands of people in local communities, including Taranaki, to keep our forests intact and return them to their rightful inhabitants.

The tip-off prompted immediate action and DOC was working to track down the deer. So far six had been shot and approximately another 15 had been sighted in recent days.

Sanson wouldn’t comment on where the deer had come from, how they had been transported to Taranaki, whether any protest groups from the region were involved or if the ones that had been killed had tag holes in their ears indicating they had come from a farm, as it was all under investigation.

TRC chairman David MacLeod said the deer had the potential to cause serious and long-lasting harm to the region’s economy and biodiversity.

‘‘Every effort needs to be made to deal with this illegal, selfish and cynical act,’’ MacLeod said.

He labelled it a despicable act and called for the offenders to be identified, prosecuted and severely punished.

Sanson said the deer jeopardised the farming industry by increasing the risk of spreading TB.

He said police were investigating the deer release and the offenders would be charged under the Wild Animal Control Act.