Whio aversion training being offered to owners of farm, hunting dogs

Wednesday, 11 March 2020

A recent successful breeding season for whio has highlighted the need for farmers and hunters with dogs to take greater care to protect the endangered species.

The Department of Conservation said whio, or blue duck, were venturing beyond the park boundary and Taranaki hunters, and landowners with property near Egmont National Park, are being asked to take their dogs to a free aversion training session in March.

DOC is concerned the birds will encounter farm or hunting dogs outside the boundary and the training, which coincides with Whio Awareness Month, will help further protect the rare species. 

Ranger Jo Carson said 20 dogs were put through training last year, receiving an avian aversion certificate valid for 12 months.

READ MORE: Native whio blue ducks spread wings outside Egmont National Park to farmland

Avian avoidance training is a DOC tool to help reduce the threat dogs pose to native birds, particularly kiwi and whio. This year's training is being held at Everett Park, Inglewood on March 17.

As part of the training, dogs are fitted with an electric shock collar and guided through a trail with three stations smelling of whio, Carson said.

Each station items to appeal to the dog's senses, including whio nesting material and feathers.

If the dog shows an interest in these objects it will receive a short, electric shock from the trainer, she said.

The dog thinks the shock came from the whio and learns to avoid the birds.

'Even the most obedient, domesticated dogs are capable of sniffing out and killing whio with ease,' she said.

'Putting dogs through this training will help protect our whio into the future.'

To register your dog please contact the DOC New Plymouth office on 06 7590350.