Kaitoke Regional Park and Tunnel Gully closed for public safety

Greater Wellington has closed Tunnel Gully and Kaitoke Regional Park to the public following the discovery of 1080 pellets in public areas of both parks this week and the death of a dog on Wednesday.

Greater Wellington's Catchment Management Divisional Manager Geoff Dick says the 1080 pellets appear to have been deliberately relocated to areas of both parks that are popular with the public. Greater Wellington has informed the police and the Medical Officer of Health of the incident.

"The pellets were found by Greater Wellington officers in picnic areas and tracks that are outside the areas where we have applied 1080 as part of our possum control operations. It would appear that someone has taken 1080 pellets and put them in places where they can be found by people and their pets. Someone also smeared a 1080 pellet on the Tunnel Gully sign."

The decision to close the parks was made following a risk assessment of the situation today by Greater Wellington, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health.

"We are terribly sorry that a loved pet has died from eating 1080," says Geoff. "We closed the park to dogs and erected warning signs around the park on Wednesday afternoon but unfortunately the dog died after coming into contact with a pellet on Wednesday morning."

Geoff says that Greater Wellington has taken - and will continue to take - all possible safety precautions to protect families and their pets. "The best measure we can now take is to close the parks until we are satisfied that they are safe."

ENDS

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