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Kākā are already threatened by loss of habitat and introduced predators. Photo, Sarah Stirrup and DOC.
The Department of Conservation is investigating a fatal shooting of a kākā parrot in Whangateau, which it says is the latest in a spate of attacks on native wildlife.
The juvenile kākā, believe to be a year old, was found injured but alive by a DOC staff member who had been alerted by a member of the public in May.
Despite best efforts, the bird had to be euthanised. A necropsy found that a slug bullet had been lodged in its left leg while its right leg was completely fractured.
DOC is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. It says the attack follows a spate of similar attacks across north Auckland.
Eight gannets were also recently killed at a colony in Muriwai and a tui was shot in Rothesay Bay in Auckland’s North Shore.
Principal compliance officer Dylan Swain says the department is appalled by the attacks.
“All these incidents are completely unacceptable, and illegal under the Wildlife Act.
“We have a duty of care towards our protected species. These are callous attacks on our native taonga.”
Kākā were once found in abundance throughout the forests of both the North and South Islands, but by 1930 the birds were localised to a few areas.
The penalty for hunting or killing protected wildlife is up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.
Anyone with information on these or other attacks on native wildlife can contact 0800 DOC HOT or wildlifecrime@doc.govt.nz.
