Dumped weka had been shot
1080 protest
Autopsies on birds dumped at Parliament by anti-1080 protesters have revealed an adult male weka had been shot, most likely with a .22 rifle.
Forest and Bird, which obtained the autopsy reports under the Official Information Act, called on the protesters to explain. The autopsies showed two of the birds were killed by vehicles, two likely flew into windows, one was too decomposed to tell the cause of death and one adult male weka was shot.
The birds were dumped on the steps of Parliament during a protest by anti-1080 groups in September. Several fake 1080 pellets were also thrown into Parliament. Speaker Trevor Mallard referred the matter to police after initial suggestions the birds were bludgeoned to death.
Forest and Bird chief executive Kevin Hague said the report was concerning.
‘‘Weka are such special birds, anyone who encountered one will have a story to tell. It’s very concerning that someone out there has deliberately hurt a native bird, and passed it on to be used as a prop in their campaign of misinformation.’’
It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to shoot protected birds.
The Department of Conservation, Federated Farmers, and Forest and Bird all support the use of 1080 but several groups have been outspoken in calling for it to be banned claiming it kills native animals and birds.
Supporters say predator pest numbers are so high that without serious action some native forests would be seriously damaged.
The independent Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has found that 1080 is the best option for protecting New Zealand’s wildlife.
The protest organiser has been contacted for a response.