An investigation has been launched into the possible presence of wallabies near Te Anau after a potential sighting was reported in the area this week.
A detector dog has since found the potential presence of the animal in the area; however, a professional sighting has not been confirmed, Environment Southland said.
Environment Southland biosecurity and biodiversity operations manager Ali Meade said wallabies are exclusion pests in Southland, meaning there are no established populations and “we want to keep it that way”.
“We urge locals not to go out looking for the potential pest and to let specialists trained in controlling these animals do their work. Public interference risks the success of the operation and increases health and safety issues during the work. It also puts our efforts to maintain wallabies as an exclusion pest at risk,” Meade said.
Wallabies are a pest because they can cause “significant economic and environmental impacts” as they eat grass, native shrubs and trees, Environment Southland said.
They can also damage pasture and fences, add to erosion issues and damage young tree seedlings.
“We are still in the planning stages and will continue to keep the public updated. We know the community are proactive about reporting pests and we appreciate their commitment to protecting Fiordland. They can help us to do that by reporting any sightings.”
This year, there have been two reports of wallabies near Te Anau, including this one, and three reports on the Te Anau–Mossburn Highway since 2022, Environment Southland said.
“All reports have been made by members of the public, however no wallabies were found. There have been 19 total reports in Southland since 2015.
“All reports have been investigated by biosecurity officers, and one live wallaby was found in Invercargill in 2016.”
