Environmental agencies in Southland are concerned about reports of deliberate releases of wild pigs and deer in the region.
The Department of Conservation, the Animal Health Board and Southland Regional Council say feral pig and deer populations have spiked in parts of Southland and have also been found in areas outside of their typical territories.
Senior regional biosecurity officer Dave Burgess says they're worried that hunters are illegally letting pigs and deer loose, and also transporting them to new areas.
He says wild pigs and deer can also carry disease and damage native flora and fauna.
