Protesters opposed to the use of 1080 toxin in a possum control operation undertaken by the Animal Health Board on Department of Conservation land, are threatening to kill rare kiwi in the area.

A sign nailed to a tree in site of one of five national kiwi sanctuaries, has been discovered by DOC staff. It reads, "DOC 1080 Deer. We will dog your kiwis", and is taken as a threat by this hunting group to use their dogs to hunt kiwis and kill them.

Dogs are known to predate kiwis. Ruapehu Area Manager Kevin Cannell says, "Those who posted the sign seem to forget that they are not DOC’s kiwis but the nations. No other animal in New Zealand is more internationally recognised as a national icon than the kiwi so any attempt to sabotage the work carried out in Tongariro Forest and elsewhere by DOC staff, volunteers and kiwi houses is an affront to all New Zealanders."

The Department of Conservation has been in discussions with local hunters who were wanting deer repellent to be used on the toxic baits. The repellent is sometimes used on 1080 baits laid on private lands but its application administered by the Department outside of Recreational Hunting Areas has not been approved by the Department.

"Our core responsibility is the protection of native plants and animals and the damage done by possum and deer to native plants and trees is well known," says Kevin Cannell. "Deer are also regarded as a pest under legislation and the Department of Conservation cannot protect deer by using deer repellent. A significant percentage of deer have died following some 1080 operations but they are not deliberately targeted, and their populations normally recover within very few years".

Mr Cannell says that the majority of hunters are reasonable people who would be appalled by the threats of these misguided few. DOC acknowledges that most hunters are passionate about their sport and many are not entirely happy that a poison is used to protect our native species from predators. Dogs have died following 1080 operations. But there is a lot of information available that indicates hunters should not to take their dogs into areas where 1080 has been used, and normally signs are erected specifically to warn people of 1080 operations in an area.

Mr Cannell pointed to the recent successes in Tongariro Forest where following a 2006 DOC/AHB 1080 operation kiwi survival from predation has been remarkable with young kiwis living to an age where they can survive threats from stoats rising from about 12% to 57%. Other species such as blue duck, fantail and tomtit have also had increased breeding success since the operation.

Any attempt to take dogs into Tongariro with the purpose of killing kiwi will be taken seriously and those responsible could face prosecution.