Water dragon scare
An Australian water dragon found living in a Horowhenua reserve has sparked renewed calls for pet owners to not dump unwanted animals on conservation land.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) captured and euthanised the rogue water dragon from Papaitonga Scenic Reserve near Levin recently.
When the native Australian semi-aquatic lizards are young they are insectivorous, supplementing their diets with plants as they grow. They can grow up to one-metre long and are considered a threat to wildlife in Aotearoa and local biodiversity. DOC said in a statement.
Kelly Hancock, DOC’s Manawatū operations district supervisor, said it may seem humane to release unwanted pets into the wild, but they weren’t equipped to survive and could cause damage to the ecosystem. “New Zealand weather is too cold for most species of lizards, so they will likely die during winter if outdoors, but if they do manage to survive, they spread diseases and prey on native plants and animals.”
The removal of the invasive dragon had made the reserve much safer for native wildlife, Hancock said.
“We think this one may have been at large in the reserve for a while, so removing it is a big win.”
In 2018, the department warned the dragons were loose around Lake Waiwiri in the reserve.
Across the motu councils and conservation rangers were working hard to remove invasive species.
A rogue female red-eared slider turtle in Tākaka had raised alarm bells for the Tasman District Council as they worked to capture and euthanise it last month.
Exotic pets such as turtles, lizards and goldfish would wreck havoc on the environment and upset ecosystems as they were not equipped to handle invasive species, DOC said.
Hancock urged pet owners not to release such species into the wild.
“They may prey on endangered species, compete with them for food, or transmit diseases that could wreak havoc on our native lizards, which have no immunity.”
Owners who want advice on how to surrender unwanted pets should visit animal welfare organisations such at the SPCA, Hancock said.
“This is kinder, not just for the pet, but for our taonga native species as well.”