Red Natura 2000

Main Menu

  • Special Conservation Zones
  • Protection For Birds
  • Habitats Directive
  • Fauna And Flora
  • Capital

Red Natura 2000

Header Banner

Red Natura 2000

  • Special Conservation Zones
  • Protection For Birds
  • Habitats Directive
  • Fauna And Flora
  • Capital
Protection For Birds
Home›Protection For Birds›World Sand Dune Day A timely reminder for pet parents

World Sand Dune Day A timely reminder for pet parents

By Joyce B. Buchanan
June 26, 2022
0
0

Monday, June 27, 2022, 6:22 a.m.
Press release: PD Insurance

As we celebrate World Sand Dune Day on June 25th, it is an opportune time to think about the care and preservation of our own precious coastline which is home to so much wildlife.

“New Zealand’s sand dunes offer such beautiful scenery,” says Michelle Le Long of pet insurance specialist PD Insurance (pd.co.nz), “but far more importantly, they are sanctuaries for an incredible variety of animals and plants that can’t survive anywhere else.

“World Sand Dune Day is an important reminder that we all need to work together to help preserve these fragile habitats – and part of that is being responsible pet parents who keep our dogs and cats in check. .”

Dune deterioration

Sand dunes are our natural barrier to the sea and if well maintained they provide protection against coastal hazards and erosion. Not to mention hosting a range of valuable native wildlife.

Unfortunately, the sand dunes are one of the most degraded landscapes in New Zealand. Large areas of dunes have been altered for residential development, roads, farmland, and forestry, resulting in significant loss of native vegetation, increased weed growth, and dune erosion.

Coastal development has also contributed to a severe decline in native bird populations that depend on dunes for habitat and breeding, Le Long says.

“Allowing our off-leash mutts to run wild in the dunes causes chaos among the birds while degrading the natural vegetation. There are many recorded incidents of uncontrolled domestic dogs killing – accidentally or otherwise – large numbers of coastal birds. And cats, being born hunters, flush out chicks like the New Zealand Dotterel which lays its eggs in open, low areas in or near sand dunes.

‘Do not disturb’ the dotterel

Laura Boren, science adviser to the Department of Conservation, says the once common dotterel is now more endangered than some kiwi species, with only around 2,500 birds remaining.

“Because they blend into the environment, the nests are easily destroyed by the feet of bathers, dogs and all-terrain vehicles,” she says. “When adults are disturbed during incubation and leave the nest, the eggs may overheat. When young chicks are disturbed, they may die of exhaustion as they cannot reach their feeding grounds at the edge of the nest. water.

Boren points out that unchecked dogs crossing nesting areas can crush eggs, disturb nesting adults and kill chicks. “Many beaches have dog restrictions and owners should be aware of and adhere to them. Go online to https://www.doc.govt.nz//parks-and-recreation//know-before-you-go//dog-access to see what the rules are for dogs,” he advises. -she.

Walk on wet sand

Since many of our coastal species roost or nest in sand dunes, walking your dog on wet sand means you’ll be more likely to avoid sensitive shorebird nesting areas, Boren says.

“Not only should you and your dog stick to wet sand, which birds are less likely to inhabit, but be aware that it’s a legal requirement to have a leash with you in public even if you’re not using it. If you see wild animals in front of you, put your dog’s leash on and pass at least 20 meters away.

Restorative remedies

Actions taken by DOC to restore New Zealand’s precious sand dunes and shorebirds include:

• Sites containing new plantings to prevent dune erosion are delineated and marked.

• Live cat traps are used in areas around some sand dune breeding sites and are checked regularly.

• At key sites, DOC wardens inform the public of nesting areas.

• There is a DOC hotline available – 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) – which you can call immediately if you see a dog harming native wildlife.

Responsibilities of Doggie Parents

Part of being a responsible dog owner means always keeping your pet under control.

“The easiest way to do this,” says Boren, “is to always walk them on a leash near fragile ecosystems such as sand dunes. If you encounter wildlife, take your dog and warn others on the scene. If you see a New Zealand Dotterel faking an injury (it can “drag” a wing as if it were broken), it means it has a nest or chicks nearby, so move away slowly and carefully.

“Stay out of the marked areas and follow the DOC signage, and you’ll be doing our delicate dunes and birds a big favor.”

© Scoop Media

Join Citizen Scoop

Scoop is a champion of independent journalism and open publishing – informing New Zealanders through candid independent journalism and publishing information across a wide range of sectors. Join us and support the publication of reliable, relevant and public interest information, freely accessible to all New Zealanders:

Become a member
Learn more

Related posts:

  1. Endangered birds ‘Monty’, ‘Rose’ lay eggs at Chicago Beach: Great Lakes Piping Plovers expand their flock
  2. Man indicted for selling protected bird feathers
  3. Peacocks, peacocks among 18 poisoned birds in Akola | Nagpur News
  4. International Bird Rescue celebrates 50 years of wildlife protection

Recent Posts

  • Nigerian Oil Bandits and a Blind Regime
  • Ministry confirms that forests are protected
  • Avian influenza detected in Walla Walla County, self-reporting of flock health in surveillance areas encouraged
  • Other Proposed Improvements to Tullamore City Park
  • In search of blackbucks, locals seek reservation in Vijayapura – The New Indian Express

Archives

  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021

Categories

  • Capital
  • Fauna And Flora
  • Habitats Directive
  • Protection For Birds
  • Special Conservation Zones
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy