Wallabies are an unwelcome introduced pest in New Zealand, threatening the environment, biodiversity, and economy in Canterbury, North Otago and Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty.
South Westland Operations Manager Wayne Costello says there have been two reported wallaby sightings on the West Coast in recent months. Both were made by people travelling State Highway 6 south of Knights Point.
“These are the first serious wallaby sightings we’ve had on the Coast. It’s a concern as wallabies are capable of causing significant environmental damage. In native forests they eat seedlings and graze the understory, changing the structure of the forest, which destroys the homes and food of our native wildlife.”
The most recent report was made by someone who had experience with wallabies in Australia, he says.
“The community is key to preventing wallabies establishing a foothold on the West Coast. As wallabies are nocturnal, we want anyone travelling at night in the Knights Point area to keep an eye out and report any sightings.
