Sika deer released in protest

The Department of Conservation has criticised a group of anti-1080 protesters who illegally released a herd of sika deer into North Taranaki conservation forests.

The release was allegedly in retaliation for DOC’s use of 1080 in the region, and put local stock at risk of TB disease.

DOC’s director-general, Lou Sanson, said the department rushed to the area after receiving an anonymous tip-off about the deer.

Department hunters had so far destroyed five of the animals and staff were working to track down the rest. Sanson called the illegal release of the deer “selfish” and “shortsighted”.

“This is not about hunting, it’s about sabotaging community conservation projects that are working towards Predator Free 2050,” he said. “I’m disgusted by this behaviour.”

The department’s Battle for our Birds programme involved a range of pest-control methods on conservation land across New Zealand. The Taranaki region was home to multiple operations, which had so far enabled the reintroduction of the kokako after an absence of two decades.

Sanson said the incident was the second act lashing out at DOC in a fortnight. The window of a staff member’s private vehicle was smashed last Thursday. The incidents were under police investigation. “Lawful protest is fine but potentially putting people’s lives at risk with irrational behaviour has to stop before someone is hurt,” Sanson said. Anyone with knowledge of the incidents should contact DOC or police.