Dog Squad
DOC Kiwi indicator dog team, Tom and Leroy are at Sanctuary Mountain® Maungatautari with Biodiversity Ranger, Craig Montgomerie, searching for kiwi.
Meet Tom and his kiwi indicator dog, Leroy!
Every day, kiwi conservation dog teams like Tom and Leroy are out traversing the maunga on foot (and four paws) to find kiwi during the non-breeding season for kiwi.
Each team is accompanied by a ranger who is also a certified kiwi handler. Together, they locate kiwi, extract them from the burrow and care for them on their journey towards their new homes. This mahi is happening on Maungatautari right now (March - May, 2024). These are some of the conservation heros of our kiwi translocation season.
Watch Tom, Leroy and Craig in action on Dog Squad, Season 13, Episide 6. The story plays from around 14 minutes and 40 seconds into the programme. Enjoy!
We are so proud and thankful for everyone involved in kiwi conservation mahi.
Thank you, TVNZ for sharing this fantastic behind-the-scenes story of the incredible mahi that goes on at Sanctuary Mountain®