A motorist has allegedly driven
on to a colony of 3000 endangered birds, squashing nests and eggs.
The colony of black-billed
gulls, one of the most endangered gull species in the world, has been nesting
at the Ashburton River.
Environment Canterbury senior
biodiversity adviser Frances Schmechel said she understood that the
Conservation Department was investigating.
Disturbing protected birds and
destroying nests are offences under the Wildlife Act that can result in
imprisonment or a fine of $100,000.
"We would strongly support
such a move. This sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable," she said.
"Unfortunately, it's not
the first time a motorist has driven on to the riverbed and destroyed nests and
eggs of a very vulnerable species, which tends to desert its nest if disturbed
early in incubation. This is despite prominent ‘endangered bird' signs at a
number of locations along the river, including the access point apparently used
in this instance."
In 2007, the colony was
attacked by vandals who killed more than 100 birds.
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