If you have information about this dog please contact 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468)
Image: DOC
Department of Conservation (DOC) Investigations Team Lead Dylan Swain says although DOC staff are still waiting for genetic test results, evidence indicates a dog was responsible.
"Necropsy results do show the likely cause of death was a result of a dog attack, and we have received an image of a dog in the area in the early morning of the day the kororā was found. We are encouraging anyone with more information to come forward."
Dog owners can face penalties and/or prosecution for their dogs causing injury or death to wildlife and DNA matching can be used to identify the dog(s) responsible.
Kororā are protected under the Wildlife Act and are classified as at risk or declining. Dylan Swain says the loss of this animal was completely preventable.
"Although what has happened here is very sad, it is not surprising. There is a need for dog owners to better understand the serious risk their pets pose to native wildlife. It is a dog owner's responsibility to know the rules and always keep an eye on their pets.
"Ground dwelling native birds don't naturally co-exist with dogs, and they can't escape easily – it takes just a second for a dog to cause a fatal injury to a penguin, which is what we have seen here."
