© BNZ Save The Kiwi Trust - All Rights reserved - Site hatched by Blue Orb
Find out about the actions, research and education programmes helping save kiwi.
Dogs & Cats
Dogs and cats are a major problem for kiwi.
In Northland, dogs have surpassed stoats, ferrets and cats as the main kiwi killer. The problem is the kiwi’s strong smell, which dogs can’t seem to resist, and the bird’s lack of wing muscles, which mean its chest structure is easily crushed in a dog’s mouth.
Useful resources:
- Resources developed from our ‘Stop Kiwi Going to the Dogs’ campaign
- Kiwi zone signs
- Dog control legislation
- Kiwi avoidance training
- Cat cage design
- Keeping kiwi safe from pets
Resources developed from our ‘Stop Kiwi Going to the Dogs’ campaign
Coming soon. BNZ Save the Kiwi is developing displays, brochures and posters to help build awareness of the impact dogs have on kiwi, and educate dog owners on what they can do to help save kiwi.
Help protect kiwi in your area by prohibiting dogs. BNZ Save the Kiwi has produced a series of Kiwi Zone signs for community-based groups to use. There’s room at the top left for your group’s logo. The signs let visitors know they are entering a kiwi zone and deliver a clear message – No dogs allowed.
Made of durable corflute (a fluted polypropylene co-polymer), the signs measure 800mm x 600mm and are durable and weather-resistant.
Packs of three are available from BNZ Save the Kiwi’s online store.
Two other versions of the sign are also available – ‘Dogs on leads’ and ‘Dogs by permission only’. To make a request for these, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
New Zealand’s Dog Control Act 1996 spells out obligations for dog owners, including making sure their dog does not injure, endanger, or cause distress to protected wildlife. The Act was amended in 2003, 2004 and 2006.
Dogs are the main predator of adult kiwi. Dog owner kiwi awareness and the early training of dogs to be under control is important. The safest option for kiwi is to avoid having dogs ever encounter them, but if they must go into a kiwi area kiwi avoidance training is available to help reduce the risk of them killing kiwi. It is no guarantee and does not make the dogs bird safe- but it does make a difference.
You can see how it works on our How to Save Kiwi DVD, where Nic Vallance finds out how dogs can be trained to avoid kiwi.
More about this programme and a list of dog trainers will be posted shortly. In the meantime contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for additional information.
Wild cats are a major threat to kiwi. They are trapped in baited cage traps, but this is often difficult, particularly when there is an abundance of prey, such as rabbits and rodents. Most cats are caught during the autumn and winter months.
Download this PDF of "How to make a homemade plywood cat or possum cage". These plans are for a plywood cat cage able to be made by someone with basic carpentry skills. They are based on a very effective live capture possum and cat trap used in Northland. Making traps can be a volunteer activity or a job for rainy days.
Coming soon.
Success Stories
Find out about the actions, research and education programmes helping save kiwi.
Upcoming Events
Check out all the upcoming kiwi events.
To access your account please login below. To join the BNZ Save the Kiwi community click Register.
Login
Did You Know?
Kiwi can get all the water they need from their food – earthworms are 85% water – allowing them to live in dry places. Being nocturnal also helps – they don’t get hot, bothered and dried out by the sun.