A wallaby killed by a vehicle at Evansdale, north of Dunedin,
is just one of three reported in Otago last year.
Wallabies are considered a pest under the Otago Regional
Council's pest strategy so people risk five years in jail or
a $100,000 fine if they knowingly move a wallaby into the
region.
Bennett wallabies have been established in the Waimate region
for more than a century and have spread to the Mackenzie
Country. They graze on grass, small trees and shrubs, putting
forestry plantation, pasture and native plants at risk.
There have been sightings of wallabies around the borders of
the region for the past few years.
Council regional services director Jeff Donaldson said the
wallaby at Evansdale was reported by a member of the public
and an autopsy of the animal was carried out.
''We were very surprised to see the one at Evansdale.''
It was thought the wallaby had probably been released in the
area.
Another was reported seen alive in the Hampden area and the
third in the Dunstan Hills behind St Bathans, where they had
been sighted in the past.
The third was shot and killed.
The council believed the wallabies found in Otago were most
likely released in the region. It was an offence to knowingly
transfer a pest under the Biosecurity Act and landowners who
discovered one on their land were required to destroy it and
advise the regional council.
- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.