The Department of Conservation says it is looking at using DNA technology to track down dogs that kill kiwi so the owners can be prosecuted.
Ranger Paul Cornille with Ririki. Photo: RNZ
Kiwi rangers at the DoC office in Whangarei say the biggest threat to the kiwi population is still dogs.
Ranger Paul Cornille says in the past few years, DoC has been investigating using the DNA of dogs found on dead kiwi to identify the canine killers and some tests have shown very good results.
Mr Cornille says the method could only be used if a dog was found in the kiwi reserve, or if rangers were really sure a particular dog was responsible.
