If you have seen a wallaby, a Mediterranean fanworm, some Chilean needle grass or any other priority pests, the Otago Regional Council has a new and easier way to report them.
ORC biosecurity team leader Robert Win said a new online Report Pests form was a quick way to alert the biosecurity team to priority pests or any potential biosecurity threats in the region.
"Priority pests are a significant environmental concern that have either not yet established, or not widely established and have the potential to cause substantial harm, such as moth plant or the freshwater gold clam."
The form is on the ORC website, and collects pest sighting details, precise location data, and other information for the biosecurity team to investigate.
He said people could still call the council on 0800 474 082 to report pests, but using the online form meant the information would land directly in the ORC biosecurity team’s inbox.
It meant the information would be passed on in a more timely manner; more accurate pest descriptions and location data could be provided; and there was less double handling of information by ORC staff.
Mr Win said it was a valuable way for the public to help protect Otago’s environment.
"Otago is home to many threatened and taonga species.
"We can help to protect these and the region’s wider indigenous biodiversity if we all work together, especially if biosecurity staff have timely information on pest sightings and exact locations."
Priority pests in Otago include African feather grass, African love grass, Asian paddle crab, Chilean needle grass, horsetail reed, lagarosiphon, Spartina, toxic algae, wild ginger, wilding conifers, yellow flag iris, cape tulip, egeria, giant hogweed, hornwort, Japanese/Indian knotweed, Mediterranean fanworm, moth plant, nassella tussock, purple loosestrife, rooks, rough horsetail, spiny broom, Bennett’s wallaby, caulerpa, false tamarisk, freshwater gold clam, and great willowherb. — APL
