There are major efforts underway to keep a bunch of Australian invaders from stepping foot - or paw - in one of our national parks.
Wallabies were introduced to New Zealand in the late 1800 for hunting and private zoos that adapted well and took off in great numbers. They're considered a pest because they can destroy productive farmland and native forests...and although mostly found in South Canterbury, they've been creeping closer to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Joining Kathryn to talk about the ongoing work to contain them under the National Wallaby Eradication Programme, is Sophia White, Biosecurity NZ's team manager of pest management programmes.
And to talk about what's happening in that crucial South Canterbury area, Brent Glentworth - biosecurity team leader Environment Canterbury. If you want to report a wallaby sighting, you can do so here.
Dama wallaby corpses have been discovered at two locations in the Pakuratahi Forest and near Kaitoke Regional Park, prompting fears the pest species may be establishing itself in the area. Photo: Department of Conservation
