The Department of Conservation has raised concerns about possum traps following a number of reported sightings of weka only having one leg in the Fiordland National Park area.
DOC says it has received a number of calls regarding the flightless bird, which may have been subject to incorrectly placed or illegal traps.
"When working in an area with flightless birds, possum traps must be set at least 70cm above ground level on a surface that ground birds cannot gain access to," DOC ranger Lindsay Wilson says.
"The injuries sustained by these birds points to traps being incorrectly placed. It's not just weka at risk. The Milford area has significant population of kiwi which could also be harmed by incorrectly placed leghold traps."
Permits must be granted to have traps on DOC land and operations manager Greg Lind says no permits have been issued for trapping in that area since March.
"Illegally-set possum traps have also recently been recovered from the Lake Hauroko area," he says.
"There are many trappers operating responsibly throughout Fiordland, and their work is invaluable in keeping possum numbers down. It's a shame that a few irresponsible individuals are tarnishing the reputation of the whole group."
One weka in the Milford area was recently caught with one leg by DOC rangers and due to its condition was deemed not fit enough to survive in the wild by itself and will now become a resident at the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary.
Anyone who sees incorrect trapping practices is urged to contact their local DOC office.
Newshub.
