Warning: This story contains images that might upset some people.
A local Department of Conservation (DoC) ranger believes the dogs that have been killing kiwis in Northland could be from local homes.
DoC is "devastated" after six kiwis were mauled to death by suspected roaming dogs in the Bay of Islands' Opua Conservation Area.
In all of Northland, 14 kiwi were likely killed by dogs in the last three months.
DoC ranger Adrian Walker told AM on Tuesday there could be many more dead kiwi lying in the bush yet to be found or never to be discovered.
While it's suspected the kiwis were killed by roaming dogs, Walker thinks the dogs could be from local houses.
He told AM co-host Ryan Bridge an investigation is underway to try and find out if it is a specific group responsible.
"Given the proximity of the number of households living near the boundary of the forests, it's quite possible the dogs have come from a local household and we're working with the Far North District Council on this matter to identify the dog owners," he said.
When asked if he knew whose dogs are killing the kiwis, Walker said he wouldn't comment on an ongoing investigation.
He told AM if a person's dog was caught killing a kiwi the penalties under the Dog Control Act are a $20,000 fine or three years in prison.
Walker said kiwi should live up to 50 years, but in Northland, they survived on average just 14 years.
One idea from the Bay Bush Action Group to try to stop the killing spree is to introduce a ban on dogs in areas where kiwis are, but Walker said it's "not practical".
"Right through Northland, we have people, many households on private land and farms living right amongst kiwi populations. So banning dogs from kiwi areas would mean taking dogs away from large areas of Te Tai Tokerau Northland, so that's not practical," he said.
"It's really about people understanding the threat their dogs pose to kiwi and knowing what their dogs are doing at all times and understanding their dogs is actually a predator and it can switch from pooch to predator in a second, particularly if the dog's not supervised or not under control."
A DoC spokesperson said it is working with Save the Kiwi, other community groups and agencies on the recent deaths.
Watch the full interview with Adrian Walker in the video above.
